All Ford police SUVs likely to be taken off street, Austin officials say

City officials were moving rapidly Wednesday night toward what they describe as the likely inevitable outcome of taking its entire fleet of 400 Ford Police Interceptor sport utility vehicles off the street amid concerns of carbon monoxide leaking into the passenger compartments.

Officials said the move, which is considered a drastic step for the Austin Police Department, could come as early as Friday. City workers were finalizing plans late Wednesday to ensure that the department had enough cars to provide patrols. The SUVs make up the vast majority of the city’s patrol fleet.

“We have a serious problem, and we have to do what it takes to make sure our police officers are not at risk,” Mayor Steve Adler told the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV Wednesday night.

The move will require a major shift in cars from various specialized units to patrol and possibly leave officials to rent cars to help close any gaps.

Read more: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/crime--law/all-ford-police-suvs-likely-taken-off-street-city-officials-say/3O8Kq1fYss57Jt94HkZNvJ/