VAN ALSTYNE, Texas (KTEN) — Van Alstyne police are taking advantage of a new piece of equipment.

"It is an emergency vehicle, so we can utilize it in a time that we need to," said Chief Tim Barnes. "Brand new, so we're just proud to have it."

The new set of wheels arrived at the Van Alstyne police station over the summer. Barnes said the decked-out utility task vehicle has already served the department well.

"We bought it at our local Kubota dealership here in Van Alstyne.... state of the art, it's a 2023 model," Barnes said. "I think it's going to be a great piece of equipment to utilize for our community."

The UTV cost about $16,000, covered by a special fund. 

"As the community grows, there's been times we've needed it, especially since we put on so many events now, off-site parking that we have, or local parking... just patrolling that for crime prevention," the chief said. "It was just a need, and we had the funds available. Didn't cost the taxpayers any money. We just thought it was a great time to purchase it."

The department's UTV will also be used for search-and-rescue missions.

"An elderly goes missing, a child goes missing... even though we're a community growing, we still have a lot of farmland," Barnes explained. "A lot of times, elderly will go out into a pasture or something that a normal squad car can't get to."

And the new vehicle is not just benefiting police. 

"If the fire department has a need that they might utilize it to get back to somewhere, transporting water to them somewhere out there... a lot of aspirations that this equipment can be used for."

Van Alstyne residents will have a chance to get an up-close look at all of its vehicles on the department's biggest event of the year.

"We have our national night out that's coming up October 3rd," Barnes said. "Kids will enjoy it, so we'll have it for display."

They're expecting a huge showing this year. so make sure to mark your calendar for October 3 at Central Social District Park.