Marion police get 4-wheel drive pickup
The Marion Police Department now has a fifth vehicle to utilize. Chief Michel Soyez told Marion City Commissioners Monday the department had obtained a used, red four-wheel drive pickup from the Kansas Highway Patrol.
He noted a pickup was becoming increasingly necessary for the department in retrieving evidence, as well as for use during bad weather and getting around certain areas of town that regular patrol cars cannot navigate when it floods.
In recent weeks, the department has had to retrieve evidence which could not be transported in a regular police car and had to call on city employees and trucks to help move the evidence.
"That can cause us some technical issues in court," Soyez said.
With the increase in methamphetamine laboratories in the area, the truck can be used to transport the hazardous material evidence retrieved from a lab.
"We don't want to put that potentially hazardous material in the back of a patrol car," Soyez said. He said the pickup would not be used as a regular patrol unit because it wasn't designed to chase vehicles. Soyez also noted the vehicle should have good resale value when it was time to trade it in.
In other matters, Soyez noted officers spent much of last week in court and working with the county attorney regarding various cases.
Following is a listing of activity during the week of Jan. 27:
Jan. 27: An officer made a welfare check on an elderly citizen. Officers also took a complaint in regard to a criminal trespassing incident, then met with an individual warning them not to return to the property.
Jan. 28: Officers appeared in district court in connection with several cases. A 48-hour warning was issued for an inoperable vehicle parked on the street, and an officer seized a paint gun from a juvenile who had discharged it within the city limits.
Jan. 29: An officer met with a business manager who was having problems with a patron in their store. An officer met with a bounty hunter who was looking for an individual in Marion. Also, officers spent time in municipal court for various cases, and arrested a suspect on a warrant.
Thursday: Officers took a report of a runaway juvenile, checked on an elderly individual who was confused, and gave a warning for failure to stop at a stop sign. Officers also attended Youth Court.
Friday: A warning was issued for driving left of center.
Saturday: A warning was issued for speeding. Officers were at the range for firearms qualification. They also responded to a business alarm at Marion Auto Supply. Everything checked out OK.
Sunday: An officer issued citations for expired tag and illegal parking.
