By Janine DavisRecord Staff WriterMarthasville residents may notice a brand new set of wheels in town as the police department breaks in a 2014 Chevy Tahoe, a vehicle that comes at no cost to taxpayers.As in “free.”The gun metal gray SUV has been paid for outright by funds allocated to law enforcement agencies involved in a federal seizure that resulted in a $500,000 fine.The yearlong joint investigation was conducted with federal agencies including U.S. marshals, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the ATF. Based on its role in the immigration case, Marthasville received $150,000 that, according to federal law passed through the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, must be spent only on local police department equipment and purchases.“This vehicle and one on order are here at zero cost to taxpayers,” said Marthasville Mayor Jason Schantz.Police Chief Eugene Jenkins said the Tahoe is equipped with state-of-the-art law enforcement features such as bullet-resistant door panels, 360-degree video surveillance, top-of-the-line Stalker-brand radar and a mounted laptop that allows officers to run license plates instantly.“One of the best features is all-wheel drive, so we can get through snow and ice to reach people,” said Chief Jenkins.On order and scheduled to arrive in the next month is a 2014 Ford Interceptor squad car that will match the Tahoe in color.Even with the two vehicle purchases and recent firearm upgrades, there is still money left over for other police equipment needs, officials say.

Marthasville Police Chief Eugene Jenkins stands by the department's new 2014 Chevy Tahoe purchased from fines collected following a federal immigration seizure that the department aided several years ago. A second vehicle will arrive in a few weeks. Neither car purchase touches taxpayer dollars. Janine Davis photo.

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