The Trenton Police Department is looking to upgrade its arsenal of non-lethal stun guns with the purchase of eight, new state of the art “Taser 10” sidearms and supporting accessories, by tapping available SPLOST funds.
Trenton Police Commissioner Mike Norris brought the need of updating officers’ equipment before fellow commissioners during Tuesday night’s workshop.
Norris says only 7 of 8 department tasers bought in 2016 remain functional and are effectively antiquated compared to today’s non-lethal weaponry. Norris then deferred to an officer tasked with researching replacement electroshock options.
Sergeant Thomas Williams, Trenton Police Department’s firearms expert, explained to commissioners the pro package being sought from the proposed vendor Axton.
Williams says among the array of upgrades; the new Taser 10 sidearm has a 10 shot cartridge capacity, as opposed to the single shot model currently deployed by Trenton P.D.
Sgt. Williams went on to say the $62,000 outlay would include 8 weapons for each officer, docking stations for each of the rechargeable units as well as a Virtual Reality simulator that can be used for officer training.
In subsequent debate, Mayor Alex Case suggested consulting with the city attorney before making any decision on the proposed purchase with SPLOST funds.
In other commission moves, it appears there’s consensus among Trenton city officials to accept Georgia’s House Bill 581.
Taxing authorities in Georgia have a March 1st deadline to decide whether to opt in or opt out of participating in the floating homestead exemption, which effectively limits the amount local governments can raise property taxes, tied to rate of inflation.
HB 581 was passed statewide in the November election by 63% voter approval. In Dade County, the margin grew with 72% of voters approving the measure.
Commissioner Monda Wooten admitted she thought the HB 581 ballot as it was written was confusing; but noted with a significant majority of Dade County and Trenton voters approving, “Who are we to say they didn’t understand it?”
Mayor Case used newly elected Dade County Commissioner General Bob Woods’ critique of the legislation as a template to approve Trenton’s participation to opt in. Case says he’s under the impression Dade County will opt in as well, unlike Dade County Schools, which last week voted to opt out of HB 581.
One topic Trenton commissioners want to address jointly with Dade County Commissioners is a mutually brokered IGA, or an Inter Governmental Agreement, on the operation of a soon to be built animal facility for both city and county animal control.
Commissioners heard from local animal rescuer Aundray Luck, who told the board she can only respond to an eighth of the calls she fields for helping stray or injured animals. Luck says her rescue outfit last year was able to adopt out 382 pets.
Luck says Trenton and Dade County as a whole has an ongoing issue with unlicensed, backyard breeding operations.She described deplorable living conditions are all too often the standard that most pet lovers would find unsettling.
Mayor Case says city officials will meet Wednesday with a prospective veterinarian for the planned shelter, saying they have roughly $80,000 budgeted to animal services.
Case says constructing a facility is the easy part, but predicts staffing and ongoing operating costs will prove more difficult.
