PORT RICHEY, Fla. – The Port Richey Police Department plans to use two recently bought military Humvees for flooding and storm response, the police chief says.

  • Port Richey Police buys 2 Humvees from Brooksville PD
  • Military vehicles able to function in deep water
  • Vehicles cost $500 each through law enforcement program

''They're set up for the deep water. The driver can actually drive in water up to their neck,'' Port Richey Police Chief Gerard DeCanio said of the Humvees -- which were bought from Brooksville Police for $500 each after that department's dissolution.

DeCanio said he doesn't expect the city to see water levels reach those heights and wouldn't send officers into those conditions if they did. The vehicles are expected to come into play when patrol cars can't handle the elements.

''Where we were stalling our cars before trying to get to people, with these, we won’t have that problem,'' Officer Edward Babcock said.

Babcock gained experience with the vehicles in the months before he was discharged from the Marine Corps. DeCanio said he and another officer currently deployed in the Army Reserve will work together to train members on the vehicles.

''These are slower to start,'' said Babcock of the Humvees. ''Most people who drive cars, they step on the gas, they like to go. These don’t work like that. These take a little bit of time to get up to speed.''

Babcock said he expects training to take anywhere from three to five days.

According to DeCanio, the vehicles normally cost about $100,000, but Port Richey Police purchased them for $500 apiece through the 1033 Program, which helps law enforcement agencies acquire military surplus items.

The chief said they can also help the department save money by not sending patrol cars into situations that may leave them unusable.

Despite the Humvees' background, DeCanio said their purpose will be purely for public service.

''We can paint them more friendly colors, but it's a military surplus vehicle that we're going to use for high water situations, storm damage, and rescues to save lives,'' DeCanio said.