BRIDGEPORT — Two-thirds of the Police Department's fleet of 109 cruisers has broken down from age and overuse, hampering crime patrols in the city.

But Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood has devised two solutions to keep officers on the move — and the streets safe.

The department is asking the city to bond $2.2 million to buy as many as 61 Dodge Charger patrol cars.

Police also have ordered two vans for prisoner transport, rather than using police cruisers for the task. The "roving vans" would be on call to pick up a prisoner, rather than having the officer drive the prisoner to a holding cell.

"It's a safety issue for the officers," he said.

The Chevrolet vans cost about $30,000 apiece and hold 10 prisoners each, said Lt. James Viadero, police spokesman. They should be ready by the end of October, he said.

Meanwhile, the crippled fleet of cruisers is also keeping officers off the road.

When Norwood tried to describe the city's fleet of 109 marked-cruisers at last week's meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners, board member Daniel Roach chimed in, "It's shot."

Norwood continued, "A third of our cars are operational."

The cars range from 1993 to 2006 models, according to Viadero.

Officers have also been complaining the fleet is deteriorating because the cars must run 24 hours a day.

That means the department gets four years' use from a patrol car on average, the chief said.

"It's not the mileage that hurts the motor. It's the consistency of running," he said.

"Seeing the quality of vehicles on the street is part of the perception" of the city, the chief added.

The Chargers cost more than $30,000 each fully fitted for police use, according to Norwood.

He believes 61 cars would allow each cruiser to run for one eight-hour-shift a day, he said.

The new cars also offer more safety features, such as a bulletproof hood over a more powerful, 5.7-liter engine.

"Five point seven liters, that's pretty big," said board member James McCullough.

"Yes sir, yes sir, very fast," Norwood replied.

The chief said he must first persuade the City Council to approve the bonding to purchase the cars.

Mayor John M. Fabrizi said he supports the request.

"I think it's a phenomenal idea," Fabrizi said. "We are strongly considering" buying the new patrol cars, he said.

About a year and a half ago, 12 new cruisers hit the streets, said Viadero.

Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.