The patrol cars of choice for law enforcement in Bibb County used to be Fords and Chevys. The new king of the road for the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is now Dodge.

County commissioners approved the purchase of 11 new Dodge Chargers on Tuesday for just over a quarter million dollars.

Commissioner Lonzy Edwards was initially concerned with the purchase because of issues with Dodge Chargers that the sheriff’s office purchased about five years ago.

Chief Deputy David Davis allayed those concerns, saying that the vehicles bought then came during a period when Dodge had first entered the police car business. Dodge has since worked out those bugs, Davis said, adding that it’s now the vehicle of choice for many other law enforcement agencies.

As for Chevy and Ford, those carmakers recently introduced new vehicles for law enforcement that cost more, and Davis said he’s hearing that the new cars have their own new set of “bugs” to work out.

“The jury is still out on the new Chevy product,” he said.

Commissioners also approved buying vehicles for detectives, public works and other departments.

In other news, officials will begin lowering the water levels at Lake Tobesofkee. The process, done every winter, will begin Dec. 4, commissioners were told. The lake will be lowered 6 feet and brought back up in January.

Signs will be posted around the lake, and notices will be handed to boat owners to make people aware of the lower water level and the potential for unseen obstructions.

Also during the meeting, Doug Rohme, agency coordinator for the Middle Georgia Food Bank, told commissioners the agency is seeing more people who need help.

From about January to October last year, the agency gave out just over 7 tons of food. So far this year, it has given out about 8.3 tons.

“And we’re just getting to our busy time with the holidays,” Rohme said.

To contact writer Harold Goodridge, call 744-4382.