Money would buy vests and Tasers

COAL GROVE — The Coal Grove Police Department is seeking a grant to update aging equipment and outfit a growing unit.

Chief Eric Spurlock told village council at Tuesday’s meeting the department applied for a $20,000 grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Services to purchase new bulletproof vests and Tasers.

Spurlock said the grant would cover the cost for all 10 officers in the department. Priced individually, the vests alone cost $1,199, a price the department cannot afford out of pocket.

Two of the newer police officers bought their own vests because the older ones were worn.

“Some of (the officers) have them, but they don’t wear them because they are so old,” Spurlock said.

Currently, the department doesn’t have enough Tasers for each officer. Spurlock said the department only has six, which have been used for the past five years.

The grant would upgrade both the vests and Tasers to the newest available on the market, Spurlock said.

Applying for grants is something the chief said he takes advantage of whenever possible.

Earlier this year, Spurlock said he applied for a grant to purchase a new cruiser, but was denied. The police department has also applied for a joint-grant to purchase new radio equipment to compensate for upcoming federally mandated narrowbanding, which will render the old radio equipment virtually useless. The Coal Grove Volunteer Fire Department and several other volunteer fire departments in the county are also on the grant.

“(Our budget) is not very much, and grants help us out a lot,” Spurlock said.

Spurlock also asked council to consider purchasing a surveillance system for the town hall area, sewer and water plant and the impound lot.

He informed council of a four-camera infrared system with a DVR that was on sale for $399. Council said they wanted to research the system and find others that use similar equipment.

Spurlock also told council there will be an impound sale at the lot on Pike Street at 10 a.m. There are two cars and one boat on a trailer up for auction.

In other council business:

• Council had the first reading of ordinance 13-11, an agreement of services for the solicitor. The contract for village solicitor, McCown and Associates, expires Dec. 31 of this year. Mark McCown offered a new two-year contract at the meeting, which would increase his fee 2 percent.

• AFCMSE 771-A president Chuck McKnight asked council to schedule a meeting to negotiate contracts for village union employees. Council scheduled an executive session meeting for 6 p.m. Nov. 15.

• Spurlock asked for an executive session regarding disciplinary actions for personnel. When council returned from executive session, no action was taken and the meeting adjourned.