Police give up suit so they can buy Crown Victorias
By Mick Zawislak Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Tuesday, February 15, 2005
In Libertyville, as in most other local departments, the Ford Crown Victoria is the choice for police cruisers.
Getting them has become an issue, however, because of an ongoing court action. To get new cars delivered on time, nearly a dozen area communities will opt out of a lawsuit brought three years ago in downstate St. Clair County.
"Much to our chagrin, we find Ford will not allow us to order police vehicles as long as we're part of this class action suit," said Libertyville Police Chief Pat Carey.
The suit was brought in 2002 by the St. Clair County sheriff's office and nearby Centreville Police Department, alleging Ford committed fraud by failing to disclose alleged problems with the car to law enforcement agencies.
More than a dozen officers nationwide since 1983 were killed in fiery crashes after their Crown Victorias were rear-ended. No fatalities have been reported in Illinois.
A jury last fall ruled the cars are safe but a judge still has to decide whether Ford violated Illinois consumer fraud laws. Plaintiffs have argued for a new trial and an appeal is possible.
The continuing court action has left many communities with a decision.
Libertyville wants to replace six squad cars - half the marked police cars in town - but faces an order deadline. Ford won't sell police vehicles to government units involved in the action.
"This is not the kind of thing we've ever run into before," Carey said.
The Libertyville village board agreed last week to opt out. Vernon Hills will consider the action tonight. The two towns have or will be joined by 10 other communities, including Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove and Barrington, that will opt out in unison.
Communities will be represented by Iain Johnston of the Chicago law firm Holland & Knight LLC.
Johnston said at least a couple hundred communities were included in the class action. A notice allowing communities to opt out was sent in late 2003. Ford subsequently decided not to sell cars to remaining parties, he said.
"All these departments needed cars," he said. "That caused a huge problem."
Johnston said he will file an opt-out motion on behalf of the communities to be heard April 14 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Mundelein has avoided any problems by opting out of the suit in November 2003.
"This has taken on a life of its own across the country," said police Chief Ray Rose. "It didn't make any sense to get all caught up in this."
Local departments say they have been aware of the alleged defect for years, Carey said. Libertyville's fleet mechanics have made modifications to older vehicles as recommended and there are no "operational limitations" with the cars, Carey said.
Vernon Hills plans to replace seven Crown Victorias by mid-2006.
"There aren't that many cars out there that fit our needs without going to an SUV," said Deputy Chief Bill Price.
I see, that way the kids can play with it
I'll ask on calguns
