South Bloomfield police pursue grants, new cruisers to be outfitted; firearm trade-ins cover new pistols, chief says

South Bloomfield — Police Chief Michael Maynard told the village council March 3 that the department is pursuing multiple grant opportunities and equipment upgrades aimed at improving operations while containing costs.

Chief Maynard said a proposed adjustment to an OCJS grant would let the village take advantage of a Motorola deal to purchase more radios at a lower price. He also said a recent department firearm swap-in produced trade-in value "higher than the cost of purchasing the new models" and that those proceeds should cover the cost of new pistols and holsters; the only additional expense foreseen is for optics that are not available locally.

Maynard said the department completed a cell-phone trade-in and expects a $1,275 credit from AT&T when processed. He reported two new cruisers have arrived at Shorkey's Auto and are being sent to Parr Public Safety for outfitting, with the department expecting them on the road in early April.

The chief also said he has an application ready to submit to OCJS to help pay for the Flock system and that he will pursue grants from Sheetz and the Gary Sinise Foundation to purchase additional Stop Sticks so each cruiser can carry a set. In a separate account, Lt. Hempstead responded to a disturbance at Sheetz involving a person in mental distress who became violent; the person was subdued and no one was injured.

All remarks about grants, equipment timing and costs were reported by Chief Maynard; the meeting transcript does not include grant award confirmations or specific grant amounts.