Peabody hires another officer
Staff writer
The Peabody Police Department Monday hired its third officer over the last two weeks.
When going through bills, Council member Julia Ensminger wanted to know why the city was paying a bill for Isaac McIver, a person she did not know.
The bill was a drug test for a second part-time police officer pending council approval, Police Chief Matthew Neal said.
Council approved the hiring later in the meeting.
The new officer wants to work Friday and Saturday nights, Neal said.
Having another officer allows the department to increase its traffic enforcement. Just recently, Peabody officers issued four citations to motorists traveling on US-50 by Peabody.
He also said another officer allows more of a police presence throughout the town.
The cost for the two vehicles Peabody purchased for police increased to outfit them.
The Ford F-150, which will be used as a pursuit vehicle, will cost about $12,600 for lights, sirens, dash cameras, cage, and other equipment. The outfitting for the Ford Explorer will cost about $6,900.
Council wanted to know when old police vehicles would be sold.
“We are in the process of removing the police decals before selling them,” city clerk Paul Leeker said.
When asked why outfitting the F-150 is more expensive, Neal said pursuit vehicles are always more expensive.
Advantages with the Explorer are its 400 horsepower engine, and it can be delivered to the town a lot quicker.
Council member Tom Spencer wanted more information on why the Explorer would not be used as a pursuit vehicle.
Neal said it could, and in jest said he would not want to drive the Explorer if not in pursuit with sirens blaring.
Council also approved the use of special-use vehicles for town roads with stipulations.
Special-use vehicles would include golf carts and all-terrain vehicles.
These vehicles would have to be licensed and tagged just like any car or truck.
“We need to formalize this and make it enforceable,” Leeker said.
A horn would be needed on the vehicles if one was included from the manufacturer.
Neal will even go to residences to do the inspections to make it easier.
Council wants to make sure the public is aware of the ordinance and will post in on its website, through mail notices and publishing it in the Marion County Record.
Leeker said the town looked at what other municipalities are doing.
Neal said Monday’s action allows the use with requirements and nothing more.
“They would still be subject to all of the traffic laws,” he said.
Spencer proposed starting the policy Jan. 1.
“This gives you four weeks to get the message out there,” he said.
In addition council discussed its winterization plan.
Presumptive incoming Mayor Kevin Burke wanted council to know entrances to Peabody are the town’s responsibility, so they need to make sure emergency vehicles can use them.