CPD to receive monetary donation Tuesday

Monday, August 7, 2006

By JASON MOON

Assistant Editor

Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter will pay a visit to Cloverdale Tuesday as he will present the Cloverdale Police Dept. with money to help benefit the department.

Bookwalter will present the police department with nearly $10,000 to purchase new equipment at the Cloverdale Town Council meeting Tuesday.

"It's for paying for new weapons," Bookwalter said.

He said the department was switching to .45 caliber weapons. CPD had used .40 caliber weapons for quite some time.

In addition, Bookwalter said the money would be used for assault rifles and portable breathilizer testing machines.

CPD Chief Charlie Hallam said the department was grateful for the donation.

"We felt the need and requested it," he said.

"He just pretty much gave us, I would say $10,000 in equipment. It definitely helped us out."

Hallam said the upgrade in equipment was needed to help fight the battle against methamphetamine users.

In addition, he said CPD officers had not seen an upgrade in equipment since the early 90's.

"We're changing our service weapons," Hallam said.

"We feel if we have an encounter, we want to be able to stop it. This is not only for officer safety, but it's for public safety."

Hallam added the upgrade in equipment helps out with CPD's budget.

The Town Council will take a look at a proposed budget Tuesday evening.

Last year, the Cloverdale Town Council had hoped to add money to its budget for new police vehicles but it was unable to after an August vote squashed setting aside money for vehicles.

By picking up Tuesday's donation, CPD's budget will look different.

"(Receiving the donation) allows us to breathe a little easier," Hallam said.

Bookwalter added several county law enforcement agencies have benefitted from the donations.

Other items on Tuesday's agenda include council rules and regulations and rezoning

The Town Council meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month at Town Hall.

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