The Conroe City Council approved the purchase of 14 new Chevrolet Tahoes, as seen in this file photo, for the police department.
Conroe is moving forward with the $1 million purchase of 14 Chevrolet Tahoes and two drones for the Police Department, after forceful prodding by the mayor.
The $800,000 purchase of the SUVs will be paid out of the city’s Vehicle Equipment Replacement Fund. That fund is specifically for purchasing new vehicles and equipment, such as police cars, fire trucks and other large equipment.
FEE REVERSAL: Conroe reverses $1,300 permit fee for markets and other events with street closures, for now
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The drones will be paid for through the Federal Justice Seized Assets Fund and not the city’s budget, Chief Jon Buckholtz said. That fund includes proceeds from the sale of assets seized in federal crime investigations and made available to law enforcement agencies.
The cost of the drones is about $220,000.
The motion to purchase the vehicles first died for lack of a second. But Councilman Harry Hardman requested further discussion, reviving the issue.
“We need vehicles, we can’t walk to calls,” Buckholtz said. “We are driving vehicles with many miles, we have quite a few that are over 100,000 miles.”
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
While pricing on the vehicles is good through July at Caldwell County Chevrolet, Buckholtz said the vehicles needed to be purchased in advance to allow time to get them delivered and fitted with the required equipment.
“It’s kind of a dire situation,” Buckholtz said.
The department, Buckholtz said, has 105 cars on its roster, but that several need significant repairs and about five have been wrecked.
Mayor Duke Coon said the purpose of the replacement fund is to ensure the department has reliable vehicles.
“By God, if our policemen need these vehicles, let’s give it to them,” Coon said.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Councilwoman Marsha Porter suggested that, in the future, officers should not be allowed to take the vehicles home. Buckholtz said that wasn’t possible.
“That is one of the ways we attract officers,” Buckholtz said, noting deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office get vehicles on their first day on the job.
Having officers with vehicles at their homes is vital to response times.
“We have a lot of people on SWAT and other specialized functions. It takes their response time substantially down,” Buckholtz said.
TOLL INCREASE:Drivers in Montgomery, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties will see toll road fee increases in 2026
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Coon, who appeared angry, said he was shocked that the council would consider not purchasing the vehicles.
“We can’t defer these. I don’t get a vote, but I wish I had one,” Coon said. “I don’t understand what is going on. This is coming out of our (the Vehicle Equipment Replacement Fun); these vehicles are accounted for.”
The council unanimously approved the purchase of the Tahoes.
The drones will be a “force multiplier,” Buckholtz said, and can be deployed from the department to scenes to assess situations while officers respond in police vehicles.
“We are averaging about 90,000 calls this year, higher than we have ever seen,” Buckholtz said. “So, anyway we can respond quicker, faster is important.”
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The city will pay about $67,000 annually for drone maintenance, Buckholtz said.
The council unanimously approved the drone purchase.
Catherine Dominguez is a Houston Chronicle reporter who covers Montgomery County, including the city of Conroe and Conroe ISD.
About
Contact
Services
Account

source