Police Chief gets ok to apply for equipment grant
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 |
CLEARWATER – On Aug. 7, the City Council gave police Chief Sid Klein the go-ahead to apply for a $30,414 federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
If received, the money will be applied toward the $34,113 cost of putting Tactical Weapons Illuminators on the .40-caliber semi-automatic handguns carried by all Clearwater police officers.
“Currently when CPD patrol officers conduct building searches, foot chases, felony traffic stops, and active-shooter situations in low-light conditions, officers must use one hand for their weapon and the other for their flashlight,” a police memo to the council explained. “Having a weapons-mounted lighting system would free up the officer’s non-shooting hand, allowing the officer to use that hand and not have to worry about aiming a flashlight in addition to the gun.”
The illuminator system attaches a mounting rail to each pistol. When needed, a powerful light weighing less than 4 ounces can be attached to the rail.
Because the pistols will not fit in their current holsters with the rail attached, new holsters will be needed. The $34,113 total cost includes 240 light systems at slightly more than $62 each and 240 holsters at $80 each. The $3,699 shortfall between the grant and the actual cost will be paid from the department’s Special Law Enforcement Fund.
“The Tactical Weapons Illuminator will prove to be extremely useful to CPD officers in low light situations and will greatly enhance officer safety,” the memo said.
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008
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