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FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department received a grant from the Shoals Are Community Development Committee. Here is how they describe receiving the grant:
“Florence PD recently received a grant from the Shoals Area Community Development Committee to purchase a Crime Scene Response Trailer. Pictured below are members of the FPD Criminal Investigations Division along with Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler and State Representative Greg Burdine, State of Alabama Dist. 1. This grant was made possible by Rep. Burdine and members of the Shoals Area Legislative Delegation and payed for with revenue from the TVA In Lieu Of Taxes Fund. Thank you Legislators and TVA for your support of our community.”
3 comments
And this “response trailer” is to be used for what? Looks like a horse trailer, but my question that of course is not answered in this “news” article from this web site is HOW MUCH DID IT COST? And was this money available for other purposes? Like funding programs for daycare of children of low income families which has recently been slashed? Is this tricked out “horse trailer” really needed or just one more opportunity for a photo op and more military (well in this case a joke) style equipt for an already overarmed FPD?
I agree with Michael. I was appalled when I seen FPD driving around First Friday’s with an armored assault vehicle. Really guys?
This seems to be the new trend around our country. Its becoming obvious that the government is gearing up for something like a financial collapse, etc.
Mobile command units/Crime Scene units whatever you wish to call them are just what it says it is. It is a mobile data center that police use on site of major crimes and or special events per se. I know I have seen FPD use their old one at the National championship game, Handy, and other events. It’s a pretty important tool for police departments.
Now as far as if the money could have been used, as you say, to help with other things like daycare programs and such, I would doubt it. If it was a grant issued to the police department, I assume it would have to be used for police purposes. But then again, I am no expert on grant writing or approval.
I am not sure what you mean by an “overarmed” police department. We, in Florence, have a very well prepared and trained police department. We also have a fairly low crime rate, I think the two potentially coincide. I am glad to have such a well trained and stocked police department. Florence is often contacted by other local agencies when in need of SWAT, Bomb Techs, or Drug Dogs, etc. This serves as a huge positive to not only Florence, but citizens of surrounding areas.
I wonder what the outcome would have been at the recent shooting in Muscle Shoals had the FPD swat not shown up? Innocent bystander casualties? Who knows? It is easy to jump on the bandwagon and bash anything a police department does, in fact, it seems like the norm these days, but this is far from frivolous spending. Be glad that we have a police department willing to use their resources to better their department.