From the snow and salt to the potholes, our cars in Western New York take a beating — and police cruisers are no exception. In fact, they usually only have a life span of about four years.

But because of a cash crisis in Niagara Falls, as they wait for casino payments from the Seneca Nation, their cars are literally falling apart.

City officials say they haven't been able to buy new cars for three years, so they're having to get creative to keep them on the street, taking parts from cars in the so-called graveyard at the Niagara Falls Department of Public Works.

"I wouldn't call it a danger to public safety, but I think it limits the flexibility of the chief to be able to deploy his patrol resources in the most cost-effective manner. We are a data-driven, evidence-based manner. We pride ourselves on anticipating where there could potentially be problems and making sure we have the right deployment pattern in place ahead of the time,” said Paul Dyster, (D) Niagara Falls mayor.

An arbitrator ruled last month the Senecas have to pay, but they're consulting with the Department of the Interior first. And Gov. Cuomo promised more than $12 million to help Niagara Falls in the meantime, but the city is still waiting.