title
Commissioner Brown - Police Department - To Accept Payment in the Amount of $3,850 from Webb Metals and to Appropriate Drug Asset Forfeiture Funds for the Purpose of Purchasing Equipment
body
STAFF CONTACT
J. D. Ramey - County Police Department - 704-866-3321
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
No additional County funds.
body
BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The Comprehensive Control Act of 1984 and the Anti-Drug Act of 1986 provide for the distribution among participating law enforcement agencies of assets forfeited in connection with drug related arrests. The above laws prohibit the use of such funds to reduce local funds budgeted for law enforcement programs.
The department currently has gas masks used by the Emergency Response Team that have begun to lose their seal capabilities. In addition, the communication mechanism is inefficient and has led members to removing the mask in a gas contaminated situation to communicate effectively. These masks are in need of being replaced. Funds are needed, as well, to replace the broken forensic comparator. The current comparator is over 25 years old and has stopped working. This device has no image showing on one side and is an important piece of equipment when comparing fingerprints side by side.
The department looks to purchase tourniquets and carriers for the officers. Tourniquets are a life saving device used to stop massive bleeding from an extremity suffered from traumatic injury. These devices could be vital in an officer involved shooting or a serious injury situation involving a citizen. Additionally, funds are needed for purchasing 25 additional civil unrest suits. We currently have 10 persons equipped with these suits. The additional suits allow for more officers to be available during a civil unrest situation. We are part of a county wide unit that practices together for these events. This expansion provides resources for a prolonged effort as well as faster response.
Recently the department purchased body worn cameras. We are asking funds be appropriated for purchasing protectors for the camera viewers assigned to officers. The viewers are similar to a smart phones fragility but do not come with a protective cover. The covers will prolong the life of the viewers.
For several years the Emergency Response Team and firearms instructors have collected the spent brass casings from firearms training. The department received a payment from Webb Metal for the brass casings in the amount of $3,850. Funds received are to be used for a hostage rescue techniques class for the Emergency Response Team. This training is a four day class taught by Esoteric LLC led by Yousef Sansour a subject matter expert.
The Gaston County Police Department requests $54,000 be appropriated for the purchasing of equipment. Funds are to be allocated from the Drug Asset Forfeiture/Treasury Fund Balance ($ 42,500 received FY 2016) and the State Controlled Substance Abuse Fund Balance ($ 4,615 received FY 2016 and $6,885 received FY2017). The department requests accepting and allocating the $3,850 received from Webb Metals for brass casings to be used for training.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Budget Change Request