Union: NY State Police Vehicle Fleet “Dangerous”

Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]A union official says the aging New York State Police vehicle fleet is a "most dangerous and frightening situation."

Thomas Mungeer, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, has filed a formal complaint about aging patrol vehicles.

Mungeer said 45 percent of the agency's active patrol vehicles have been on the road for more than 100,000 miles.

The complaint to the state Department of Labor indicated there have been "significant breakdowns" which have caused vehicles "to lose drive function and coast to a stop."

Mungeer said the high-mileage vehicles pose a threat to state troopers who are involved in pursuits and emergency responses.

The union official said the state's failure to ensure that all troopers have safe vehicles is "repugnant."