WATONGA – The Watonga City Council approved new restrictions on the use of police vehicles during a meeting last Tuesday, June 15, limiting the amount of time the cars can be outside the city limits and how far away the cars can go out of town.
City officials said the change definitely was necessary because some Watonga police officers had been using their vehicles for personal trips, driving them as far away as Enid and Yukon. Some were concerned that response times might increase if officers can’t drive their cars home, but some officers live out of city limits.
The city council concluded that officers shouldn't take their police vehicles home in case of an accident because the city could be liable. The resolution ultimately passed. It will essentially take effect on July 1.
The council also discussed its annual budget and the upcoming Fourth of July fireworks display at Huff-Lorang Park. The next fiscal year begins on July 1.