by Elka Worner and Blake Burrell
The City of Manhattan Beach donated five police cars to a Mississippi town that had only one.
“The people in my hometown are ecstatic. My police officers are ecstatic. We’re finally getting the things that we need,” said Paulette Moore, the mayor of Pickens, who attended Wednesday’s press conference at the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
Moore said she’s always on the lookout for “resources” for her city which is in one of the poorest counties in the country. The town of 1,200, with an average income of $23,000, had only one police car for their seven officers.
“It makes my heart hurt that half a dozen police officers were sharing a car,” Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rachel Johnson said. “The car is your office.”
Manhattan Beach sold the three SUV’s, a Crown Victoria and Ford sedan to Pickens for $1 each.
“Usually, we sell the cars to a used dealership or an auction house,” Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said. “Mayor Moore asked me if we wouldn’t mind donating them to her.”
The mayors met in January at a conference in Washington, D.C.
“No one’s ever done this before. We couldn’t find any other California cities who had donated police vehicles, especially out of state,” Montgomery said.
The council voted unanimously to donate the vehicles to Pickens. The patrol cars would probably go for $5,000 to $12,000 each at auction.
Moore said even though the crime rate in Pickens is “relatively low,” the new police cars will provide more protection for the city. “We have a little theft now and then,” she said.
“Look out bad guys, because they’re going to be well-outfitted,” Councilmember Joe Franklin said.
Governor Gavin Newsom praised the city for its generosity.
“I want to thank Mayor Montgomery and the entire City of Manhattan Beach for this generous donation that represents the best of the California spirit,” Newsom said in a statement.
Skechers and Chevron will split the $17,500 to send the vehicles to Pickens.
To show her appreciation, Mayor Moore wore green Skechers to the press conference, one of 15 pairs she owns.
Moore also made an open invitation to her town.
“We don’t have a lot to give, but we do have hospitality,” she said. “If anybody wants to come out, we have great barbecue.” ER
