The Buffalo Police Benevolent Association has said for years its officers don't have enough cars on the road to do the job. 

Union leaders call it a "dire situation," and have shared their concerns with the Buffalo Common Council. 

On Tuesday, South District Councilman Chris Scanlon and other members of the police oversight committee asked department leaders if their cops have what they need to protect the community.

"Whether that be vehicles for patrol officers or other equipment for their tactical teams, it's imperative that command staff is providing that and that we as council members are authorizing the dollars to purchase it," Scanlon said.

Commissioner Byron Lockwood said the department has enough vehicles in service to handle calls throughout the city.

According to Capt. Jeff Rinaldo, the department has about 190 vehicles in the fleet and needs 130 for day-to-day operations. However, nearly 60 are currently out of service for repairs.

"We always want new vehicles. We want to have the most number of vehicles possible," Rinaldo said. "We currently do have a limited supply in terms the amount supply some of the repairs are taking."

That's partly because the City needs to fill three open jobs for mechanics at its garage on Seneca Street. And some cars have to go to dealerships for more complicated work.

Common Council authorized money for 14 new cars last year, but the BPD is waiting until this year to use it. 

"We're doing everything we can, including looking at outside the box ideas," Rinaldo said.

Those ideas include leasing some of the vehicles instead of buying, a first for the department. Rinaldo said that would allow the BPD to bring in up to 26 cars this year instead of 14.

They say other agencies like the Erie County Sheriff's Office also lease vehicles. The department would then have the option to buy the vehicles at the end of the lease, likely two or three years in length.

"I'm open to have that conversation as part of the council," Scanlon said. "I think it's important that the council and the police administration are working together."

Union leaders tell Spectrum News there is a scramble on almost every shift to find enough vehicles, and officers often have to double up on patrols.

The city's capital budget includes $1 million to buy 20 more police cars on top of the ones they plan to lease. Still, it could be more than six months before they're delivered, outfitted with special equipment and on the streets.