California police department blows $153,000 on Tesla Cybertruck to “educate” kids about drugs.
At a Glance
- Irvine Police Department purchases $153,000 Tesla Cybertruck for D.A.R.E. program
- Vehicle not intended for regular police patrols
- Purchase sparks debate over frivolous spending of public funds
- Department claims long-term cost savings and community engagement benefits
Tesla Cybertruck: The New Face of Drug Education?
Southern California’s Irvine Police Department has taken a new stance on the war on drugs, by purchasing a Tesla Cybertruck. The $153,000 purchase is apparently going to do wonders for keeping kids off drugs.
The police department has proudly claimed that it’s the first in America to own a Tesla Cybertruck for use by its department. The thing is, the vehicle won’t even be put to use in fighting crime. It’s going to essentially be a showpiece for students when the department hosts D.A.R.E. events at local schools.
A Wise’ Investment?
In trying to justify the ridiculously-expensive purchase, the Irvine PD says engaging with youth is essential.
“The Cybertruck is a replacement for another DARE vehicle that has reached its shelf life,” Sergeant Karie Davies said.
On its Facebook page, the department exclaimed:
“For over three decades, our DARE officers have driven attention-grabbing and one-of-a-kind vehicles that never fail to turn heads and excite students.”
Of course, it’s highly unlikely that the previous DARE vehicle cost $153,000, which is why residents are up in arms.
The PD is claiming that there are long-term savings associated with the Tesla purchase, including the fact that they’ll save about $6,000 in savings in the next five years. The rate of return on that is quite poor, though, as it would result in the vehicle paying for itself in a whopping 127.5 years. Talk about bad math.
The True Cost
Critics are seeing right through what the Irvine PD is trying to sell. Most police cars cost about $116,000, so it’s not like they’re inexpensive. Still, they serve a major purpose beyond just being a showpiece.
The department isn’t backing down, though, continuing to tout its benefits to the public.
“It’s an opportunity for [kids] to say, ‘Oh, man, that’s a Cybertruck. I’ve never seen one of those. I want to talk to that officer,'” said Kyle Oldoerp, a spokesman for the Irvine PD.
Even shadier is the fact that the PD didn’t disclose the cost of the truck until they were forced to after an open records request was filed. Even some city employees are questioning the purchase as “absurd.”
The Bottom Line
In a city where 74 of the 100 highest-paid workers are already police department employees, this Cybertruck purchase is a slap in the face to fiscal responsibility. It’s a stark reminder of how out of touch some public officials can be with the realities of responsible government spending.
Taxpayers are forced to somehow shoulder this monster cost, and they’re not happy that it’s a shiny new vehicle and not new programs to fight substance abuse.