How to save $25,000 in gas

Round Lake Beach police Chief Doug Larsson admits it's not just for safety that cops leave their cars running all the time.

"People want a comfortable environment, and when officers are wearing body armor, it's uncomfortable to get into a hot, humid car," he said. "I was no different when I was a street cop. I didn't want to get into a cold or hot car."

But, like other office workers who are blocked from adjusting the thermostat, officers in Round Lake Beach may now have to wait for the air-conditioning to kick on.

As part of a fuel reduction plan, Round Lake Beach police officers are being told to shut off their cars rather than let them idle for extended periods of time.

The goal, said Larsson, is to save about $25,000 in gas in fiscal year 2008.

"This started out as a need through the budget, but it's also a way for the police department to think green and help minimize the carbon footprint we leave on the environment," he said. "If we can reduce fuel consumption, we can save money and use it for its intended purchases -- like equipment and training."

The cars would idle during traffic stops and other critical times, but would remain off during personal times, like when an officer needs to stop for something to eat.

The fuel reduction plan also calls for taking one squad car off the street for an hour each shift to try to cut down on gas, Larsson said.

The department spent $65,700 on gas in 2005. That number jumped to $110,700 last year, Larsson said.

The department has budgeted only $101,600 in the next fiscal year, despite the chance that gasoline could hit $4 a gallon.

"When you do the math, you realize that by turning off one car for one hour during the day, every shift, it really adds up," he said. "Our goal is to try and save about $25,000 this year on gasoline, and I really think it can be done."

Beth Moser, a spokeswoman from the AAA Motor Club in Chicago, said the plan seems to be a good one.

"In the long run, it could save the community a lot of money," she said. "But only if they shut them off for long periods at a time. If it's just for a minute or two, it won't make too large of a difference."

A squad car driving on patrol can burn up to three gallons of gas in an hour. With gasoline selling at $4 per gallon, the village can save about $13,100 a year by shutting three cars off for one hour each day.

In addition, he said, if officers shut off their cars when not needed, an additional $5,000 to $10,000 could be saved annually.

Larsson said, however, safety will play a role in when a car can be shut down.

Anytime the officer needs to have the squad lights on, or when outside temperatures get too high or low for the onboard computers to remain running, the officer will leave the car running.

"The lights and the computers drain the batteries of the car," he said. "And, when it gets real cold or warm, the computers shut down and they'll have to restart them each time."

He said the department will also try using synthetic oils and ensure the tires are properly inflated to extend a gallon of gas as far as possible.