PHA Drops $80K On D.A.R.E. SUV

There are questions about a very expensive truck purchased by the Philadelphia Housing Authority police department used to educate kids about drugs.

The truck is slated to be used for the PHA's "D.A.R.E." program, but the cost of the vehicle and what sources say it was originally purchased for have raised some eyebrows.

Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser investigated the claims, which will have taxpayers shaking their heads.

Sources at the PHA tell Fox 29 news the cost for the new 2010 Ford Expedition could crack the $80,000 mark at a time when federal housing officials, the FBI and a federal grand jury are investigating possible financial irregularities at the PHA in the wake of executive director Carl Greene being fired.

The truck, according our sources, was one of four purchased by the PHA police department this past year.

Sources say it was originally purchased on Greene's orders to transport federal housing authorities around to different PHA housing sites.

After Greene's demise over sexual harassment settlements, the truck was added to the PHA's D.A.R.E. program. The truck cost $64,000.

Sources say the PHA added an $8,000 police equipment package to it, then a set of decals at a cost of about $2,500. Just last week the truck was sent out for another new set of decals costing another $5,500. Total price tag: $80,000.

The PHA did not answer our written and telephone requests for the costs of the vehicle. Our sources say the truck was paid for with taxpayer dollars, but a PHA spokeswoman says the agency used drug forfeiture money to pay for the truck.

Sources say the truck is used for its four day a week D.A.R.E. program at area schools. The PHA they got rid of a 2006 Expedition they used to use because they needed a bigger expedition to haul supplies and children around in.

But we were also told by insiders that no one is insured to ride in those vehicles except PHA personnel.

Other police departments do use forfeiture funds to buy vehicles or get a D.A.R.E. program grant.

Some even use cars or SUVs taken away from drug dealers in forfeiture actions after their arrest.

But most do not spend $80,000 for a D.A.R.E. vehicle.