Could Ohio Sheriff's Office Face Repossession of 41 Cruisers?
What to know
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The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office fell more than $57,000 behind on patrol vehicle lease payments, prompting the leasing company to schedule 41 cruisers for possible repossession, according to the deputies union.
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County commissioners said they intervened with the leasing company to keep the vehicles in service, while disputing union claims and placing budget responsibility on the sheriff’s office.
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The dispute follows a $7 million county budget cut after voters rejected a sales tax increase, raising concerns from deputies about public safety and operational readiness.
ELYRIA, OH — The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office is facing a potential crisis after the county fell behind on more than $57,000 in lease payments for patrol vehicles, which now might be repossessed by the leasing company.
The Lorain County Deputies Association announced in a press release Wednesday that Enterprise Fleet Management had scheduled 41 police cruisers for repossession on Monday, prompting deputies to begin clearing personal equipment and gear from the vehicles. However, Lorain County Commissioner David Moore told cleveland.com Thursday that commissioners contacted Enterprise and received assurance the vehicles would remain in service.
In the release, formatted as a letter to Lorain County residents, deputies association secretary Matthew Lawson described the missed payments as a failure by commissioners to meet contractual obligations that potentially endangers public safety.
The group said the situation reflects a broader pattern of commissioners prioritizing political agendas over officer and public safety.
“How is the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office expected to respond to calls with no cruisers?” Lawson said in the release. “How can we efficiently provide safety services to our residents?”
Moore rejected these claims, characterizing the public dispute as “political gamesmanship” during an election cycle.
“The sheriff is in charge of his own budget,” Moore said. “We’re not managing the sheriff’s department. We are the budget authority.”
Moore explained that while commissioners approve departmental budgets, elected officials—including the sheriff—maintain responsibility for managing their own spending and making payments.
Moore acknowledged that the county cut $7 million from the overall budget after voters rejected a sales tax increase that would have generated roughly $13 million annually for the sheriff’s office. He said the cuts reflect the will of voters who wanted the county to “live within your means.”
Moore suggested the matter could have been addressed without public confrontation.
“I personally think a simple phone call would have fixed this, not a Facebook war,” he said.
The deputies association emphasized its commitment to serving Lorain County residents safely and effectively despite the ongoing challenges.
“At the end of the day, we strive to do the best job we can, go home safely and provide the best possible service to the residents of Lorain County,” Lawson said in the release.
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