Helena–West Helena adopts inattentive‑driving ordinance; council backs police equipment purchases
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Summary
The City Council adopted a local inattentive‑driving ordinance that creates a city citation for distracted driving and directs the city portion of fines to a police equipment fund. Council members also endorsed purchasing new body armor and duty weapons after police quoted roughly $19,000 for armor and about $9,000–$10,000 for weapons.
The Helena–West Helena City Council on Tuesday adopted a local ordinance targeting inattentive driving and approved council backing for purchases of new police body armor and duty weapons.
Mayor Whitfield introduced Police Chief Sanders, who said the ordinance is intended to reduce distracted and careless driving and to “hold everyone accountable.” The ordinance creates a local citation option that, Chief Sanders said, gives drivers “a chance to keep it off their record” rather than receiving state points and that designates the city’s share of fines be directed to the police equipment fund.
Chief Sanders told the council the ordinance is a “proactive measure” to improve road safety and asked that the portion of fines be used “towards equipment funds.” He also presented quotes for protective equipment, telling council members, “what is the cost of one of our officers' lives?” and said the department is using some expired body armor.
Council members moved to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 9 on third reading. The clerk recorded the roll call and the motion passed by a 5–0 vote.
On separate motions, council members discussed purchase timing and funding sources for armor and weapons. The council endorsed proceeding with the department’s equipment requests, noting the department’s equipment fund holds about $8,000 and that the remainder would come from general funds absent outside grant reimbursement. Council recorded the endorsement on a 5–0 vote.
City officials said the quoted costs include roughly $19,000 for a set of new body‑armor units (the vendor quote covered 15 units) and about $9,000–$10,000 for duty weapons. Chief Sanders said lead times for body armor in prior orders were about two weeks for in‑stock items and that some officers have purchased their own armor in the past.
The council did not adopt an immediate capital appropriation for the full amount at the meeting; members asked staff to include the purchase on the Nov. 4 agenda for additional budget discussion and to explore grant opportunities.
The ordinance takes effect under the city’s stated timetable (no emergency clause was requested), and the council recorded that state statute authorizes municipalities to adopt local traffic ordinances while state court costs remain applicable.