Microchip shortage still affecting local law enforcement - NBC 15 WPMI
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) — The semiconductor chip or microchip shortage affecting the production of computers, appliances, and automobiles is creating an unexpected headache for law enforcement in Alabama and beyond.
Finally for some departments after months of waiting vehicles are beginning to arrive. What used to be a three month process has now become a 12 month ordeal.
When it comes to the microchips and vehicles most analysts see the shortage being resolved by the end of this year but.... it will affect 2022 models.
At the Loxley Police department the new vehicles are bright and shiny and they’ve got that new car smell too. "I know that other agencies have bought different types of vehicles because they couldn’t get what they already had," said Lt. Doug Phillips with Loxley Police.
Loxley's police department, with a growing police force just got delivery of 5 new Chevy Tahoe cruisers but they're already making budget and repair plans ahead of next year's order.
"If we add personnel we may need to keep the ones we have for the time being until we can get new ones because if we can’t replace them we have hold on to what we've got," said Phillips.
Police departments are competing for new vehicles with the entire country, which means they are having a difficult time keeping their fleets stocked with vehicles, resulting in recruits being unable to get patrol vehicles in some cases.
Fire departments are feeling the pinch too. "The city council approved us to buy a custom truck pumper. It’s a $600,000 purchase and we're anticipating right now a 400 day roughly a 400 day delivery. In the past I would have expected that to be 270 to 300 days at most," said Joey Darby, Foley's Fire Chief. Even lifesaving equipment is being delayed, says the chief.
"Because where that also affects us if we are having to settle for just whatever's available then down the road that is going to affect the apparatus side and our fleet and it’s going to affect consistency, everything from expected life to warranty," said Darby.
Most consumers may start seeing more new vehicles on dealership’s lots but the price will have gone up and 2022 isn’t expected to be much better.
source: https://mynbc15.com/news/local/microchip-shortage-still-affecting-local-law-enforcement
Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.