Sheriff’s office receives a grant for eight new vehicles for SRO program

 White County Sheriff Steve Page recently announced a significant boost to the department’s School Resource Officer program with the acquisition of eight brand-new Ford Explorers. This upgrade was made possible through a generous SRO grant provided by the state, covering a range of expenses, including salaries, training, uniforms, and equipment, up to a maximum of $75,000 per school.

The delivery of these new vehicles marks a substantial enhancement in the safety and reliability of the SRO fleet, all without incurring any costs to the county budget. The grant not only covered the purchase of the vehicles but also included the striping and equipment installations necessary for immediate service, further alleviating financial strain on the county.

 Sheriff Page expressed his gratitude for the grant, highlighting the dire need for this fleet upgrade. The new Ford Explorers will replace the department’s aged and unreliable vehicles, some of which were over 15 years old and had accumulated more than 200,000 miles. These older vehicles were plagued with engine issues and required frequent maintenance, posing safety risks and operational inefficiencies for the SROs.

 While celebrating this milestone for the SRO program, Sheriff Page also shed light on the county’s 2025 budget allocation, which only approved funding for three new patrol cars for general patrol duties. Despite this limitation, the sheriff’s office remains committed to prioritizing the safety and effectiveness of its entire fleet to better serve the community.

To ensure a sustainable fleet management strategy, the department plans to sell the replaced vehicles on GovDeals.com, with the proceeds earmarked for the purchase of additional vehicles.