RIDGECREST — Christmas will be coming early for Ridgecrest Police Chief Larry Lawrence, after the town agreed to purchase his department a used patrol cruiser.

At the town’s board of aldermen meeting Thursday evening, Lawrence suggested the board consider purchasing a 2009 black Ford Crown Victoria with 10,000 miles available through a company in Oklahoma that specializes in refurbishing used police vehicles.

The original price of the vehicle was $14,500, not including lights, a radio system and a transport fee. The total price was $21,000.

“For a car with that little miles on it and in such good condition, it’s a steal,” Lawrence said. “I already lost the first one I wanted to someone in North Carolina, so we need to make a move if we want this one.”

Mayor Dwayne Sikes quickly voiced his support of the purchase, saying it was a necessary purchase for the town.

“We’ve been needing a new police car for years, and now we have a way to buy it,” Sikes said. “This isn’t a luxury item we’re splurging on, this is a necessity.”

Sikes said there were two certificates of deposits in the town’s bank account that could be used for the vehicle purchase — one totaling $17,500 and another totaling $10,000.

Lawrence told the board he was looking into applying for a grant to help pay for the radio system, which would bring the total of the car to $19,000.

The board unanimously approved the purchase — under one alderwoman’s requirement.

“If we approve this, we better see this black car circling all around town,” alderwoman Jamie Harrison said laughing.

In other news from the meeting:

 The board approved to make seven signs to post around town regarding its parking policies.

Alderman Robert Maples said the number, and manner, of residents parking on the streets was becoming excessive.

“I’ll be driving through town, and there are people parked in the middle of the streets,” Maples said.

Lawrence said the town’s ordinance states a car parked on the street must have one wheel on the shoulder of the road, and all cars have a three-hour parking limit.

Town Clerk Cyndie Dillon said she spoke with a representative from the Louisiana Municipal Association who recommended the town post signs and begin writing tickets to solve the problem.

Each sign will cost approximately $35.

 The board voted to table a discussion regarding an audit on the town’s finances conducted by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

The audit revealed several discrepancies involving the former town clerk Dana DeLaughter and former mayor Kevin Graham.

In early November, Graham resigned and DeLaughter was placed on administrative leave without pay because of the discrepancies.

Sikes said after the meeting he was not attempting to avoid the topic, but was simply not prepared after having recently returned from a stint in the hospital.

“After I have a chance to catch up on everything, we’ll talk about it at the next meeting,” Sikes said. “All I know is, I think there’s a whole lot more the auditors couldn’t prove.”

A grand jury will begin hearing evidence Monday regarding the town’s bookkeeping discrepancies.