Roger Penske, Other Business Leaders, Donate $8 Million For Detroit EMS Rigs, Police Cruisers

Detroit Mayor Announces GOOD News
FILE - In this May 5, 2009 file photo Dave Bing celebrates his mayoral victory after winning a special election in Detroit. The former NBA great, who transitioned smoothly to owner and founder of a steel supply company, became Mayor of Detroit in 2009. In basketball and business, he never side-stepped a challenge, but the overwhelming weight of Detroits financial problems and other troubles have convinced Bing to pass control of the city over to the state. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
FILE - In this May 5, 2009 file photo Dave Bing celebrates his mayoral victory after winning a special election in Detroit. The former NBA great, who transitioned smoothly to owner and founder of a steel supply company, became Mayor of Detroit in 2009. In basketball and business, he never side-stepped a challenge, but the overwhelming weight of Detroits financial problems and other troubles have convinced Bing to pass control of the city over to the state. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced new funding for EMS and the police department Monday.

A group of businesses led by Roger Penske's Penske's Corporation has donated $8 million for 23 new EMS ambulances and 100 police cruisers.

"This is a perfect example of how the business community can work with our city," said Roger Penske. "We believe these additional vehicles will enhance the visibility of the police and fire efforts in the city of Detroit, improve safety and security in our neighborhoods and have an immediate and lasting impact for everyone who works, lives and plays in Detroit.

Fire and EMS respond to over 350 calls on any given day, said Executive Fire Commissioner Donald Austin. On any given day, Bing added, four or five ambulances are out of service.

The cars will be leased to the city by the group of business leaders. According to the Detroit Free Press, the police cruisers will arrive within three months and the EMS units in about four months.

The police and fire departments have suffered cutbacks in the last year.

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