Belleville's fire and Police Departments unveiled two new pieces of equipment Thursday. Firefighters received a new ladder and pumper truck. Police received an ATV.
About the firetruck
Belleville firefighters received their first new truck since 2008. Belleville and a fire insurance fund split the $644,000 cost of the ladder and pumper truck manufactured by E-One. It is built on a shorter wheelbase that lets it be more maneuverable on city streets. "This truck gets in a lot of alleys where a normal, 100-foot ladder truck would not get into," Belleville Fire Chief Scott Lanxon said. It will be fully equipped and in service by March 16.
About the ATV
Belleville police received the Yamaha Polaris utility vehicle thanks to proceeds from the annual Tour de Belleville bike ride. It cost $8,750, with another $1,800 for police lights and equipment. It seats two and has a dump bed. The 2012 bike ride also paid $4,035 for a drinking fountain and $5,868 for its installation on the bike path at the Scheel Street MetroLink station.
About the Tour de Belleville
The annual Tour de Belleville bicycle ride has raised $110,276 in seven years. The next one is July 12. Here's how the money has been spent from past rides.
* 2006: Portable roadside speed monitor and display, $6,000
* 2007: Bike trail crossing warning lights at B Street and East Main Street as well as a police patrol bike, $30,000
* 2008: Two emergency call towers for bike trails, $13,806
* 2009: Two more emergency call towers for bike trails, $13,738
* 2010 Three solar lampposts for bike trail and school crossing signs, $11,924
* 2011: Picnic shelter, benches, bike rack, water fountain and installation, school "no cell phone" zone signs, $14,523
* 2012: ATV equipped for police and water fountain with installation, $20,285.




