This afternoon the Police Department took charge of six 2007 Isuzu DMAXs. The vehicles weren't a gift, they were bought by Government of Belize from Bravo Motors. The six are part of a set of fifteen pickups which government has committed to buying. The pickups arrived just in time for Christmas patrols and at $45,000 a pop, Police Press Officer G. Michael Reid and Bravo's Eddy Bouloy says they'll be worth it.
G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
"They will go a long way in assisting the police in their ability to patrol the areas. Three of the vehicles are going to the out district as we speak; one to Orange Walk, one to San Ignacio, and one to Dangriga. Three of the vehicles will stay in Belize. These vehicles have been handed out and they are the first, again, of a set of fifteen that we are expecting to receive in the next three to six months and thereafter hopefully we will get even more vehicles."
Eddy Bouloy, Bravo Motors
"Isuzu vehicles have proven themselves in Belize and all over the world as being very hard working, very reliable, very capable vehicles. That is why the police chose Isuzu for their fleet today. In terms of how long they will last, that all depends on the amount of maintenance that they get. If properly maintained, these trucks should last for a very long time."
Eventually, the vehicles will be equipped with sirens and police radios. The stereos have been removed but they'll leave in the air conditioners for this fleet. The remaining nine vehicles are due to arrive in the early part of next year. Three of the new DMAXs will be posted in Belize City while Cayo, Orange Walk, and Dangriga will each get one.
