The city of Atlanta continues to be impacted by rising fuel costs. A strict policy is supposed to be in effect to conserve, but some employees apparently ignore it. FOX 5 found city vehicles left idling -- burning up taxpayer dollars.
The city has 5,000 vehicles and an annual fuel bill estimated at $8 million.
"We are taking steps to reduce our fuel annual usage," said Atlanta Public Works Commissioner Richard Mendoza.
All city departments are supposed to enforce an anti-idling policy to conserve fuel.
"Anything more than two minutes, then they are to shut the equipment off. That saves on fuel and also wear and tear on our equipment," said Mendoza, who said that supervisors monitor the policy.
However, FOX 5's Morse Diggs found several vehicles in apparent violation during a lunch break on Monday. A union official said that there are times when the heavy duty trucks need to be left on for short periods, but that all vehicles should be shut down during lunch breaks.
Public safety officials also follow the policy. Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Shawn Jones said that officers are encouraged to get out of cars when possible to conduct foot patrols.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:19:10 GMT
A police officer, a deputy and a nurse are being called heroes for saving an elderly man's life.
A police officer, a deputy and a nurse are being called heroes for saving an elderly man's life. The man had a medical emergency and the three first-responders were in the right place at the right time.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:27:20 GMT
Georgia's right to life group is in a dispute with the national pro-lifers.
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