July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Use of tasers delayed in Redkey (07/23/05)
By By ROBERT BANSER-
REDKEY — “Bad timing.”
That was the opinion of Redkey Councilwoman Dottie Quakenbush and several other in attendance at Friday morning’s meeting to discuss the possible use of taser stun gun weapons by town police officers.
Redkey deputies Kenny Haines and Donnie James presented the department’s case for using the tasers to stop or stun a suspect as an alternative to having to use a gun, night stick or pepper spray.
However, after listening for about half an hour to Haines, James and Dunkirk Police Chief Arnold Clevenger talk about the potential benefits of having Redkey officers carry tasers, Quakenbush said she would like to postpone any further discussion on the matter pending the resolution of other issues currently before the council.
This is just “bad timing,” she said, noting the council was already facing several controversial issues dealing with town finances and the status of Redkey clerk-treasurer Brenda Adkins’ job.
“It’d just be one more controversy,” Quakenbush said. “Right now people (in Redkey) don’t want to hear about tasers, but want to know about water bills and who is behind (in their payments).
“Let’s get our house in order,” she said, adding that at the present time the town would have trouble paying for new tires for a squad car. She then told Haines and James “You should worry more about whether you’re going to get paid — not whether you can carry a taser on your belt.”
Town council president Violet Erlenbush asked if there were any audience members who wanted to express an opinion about this issue.
“Personally, I’m against it,” Redkey resident Charlie Noble said. “I don’t know why this town is so rough and tough that we need tasers,” he added.
Redkey resident Jim Barrett said he felt the town had more important things to discuss than tasers. “I don’t think this is the time for more controversy in Redkey,” Barrett said. He added, “I think we should have our financial issues settled before dealing with tasers.”
As the meeting continued, Erlenbush said she felt the materials presented by the police officers should be studied further. Also council members said they wanted to determine how having the police equipped with tasers might affect town insurance premiums.
Haines and James have both been trained in the use of tasers. Several months ago Redkey businessman Michael Shannon offered to purchase a taser for the town, if officials were interested in using it. That demonstration taser was loaned to the community and has since been locked in a safe at the town hall.
In his presentation Haines said, “The real reason for this meeting is about safety — for the safety of your police officers and for the safety of the good citizens of Redkey. Now I’m going to use that dreaded word — taser. I believe the only reason that people fear it, is because they aren’t aware of its benefits and how it works.”
Haines continued, “What is a taser and how does it work? A taser is an enforcement tool just like pepper spray or a night stick or a baton or flashlight. It is used in situations where lethal force has not yet become necessary. It looks like a pistol but shoots two probes up to 25 feet with small wires attached. An electrical charge is then sent through these wires when the trigger is pulled. The charge lasts only five seconds and can be stopped sooner,” Haines said.
James added that 6,000 law enforcement agencies across the country are equipped with tasers, including the Dunkirk and Jay County police departments. James said he believes the taser is especially effective in dealing with individuals who are high on drugs or threatening suicide — people who are not likely to listen to reason or the command of a police officer.
Barrett said that perhaps the town should ask residents to vote on whether or not the Redkey police officers should carry tasers. “The people will tell you no,” he predicted.
“I think what everyone is scared of is the unknown,” James said.
Following further discussion, Erlenbush said, “I think the timing has a lot to do with this.” She then apologized to James for not bringing up this issue several weeks ago when he first suggested it. She recommended the issue be tabled until the next town council session. In the meantime council members plan to review the written materials relating to tasers which the police officers gave them Friday as well as view a videotape on the subject.
The next Redkey council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 15 in town hall.[[In-content Ad]]
That was the opinion of Redkey Councilwoman Dottie Quakenbush and several other in attendance at Friday morning’s meeting to discuss the possible use of taser stun gun weapons by town police officers.
Redkey deputies Kenny Haines and Donnie James presented the department’s case for using the tasers to stop or stun a suspect as an alternative to having to use a gun, night stick or pepper spray.
However, after listening for about half an hour to Haines, James and Dunkirk Police Chief Arnold Clevenger talk about the potential benefits of having Redkey officers carry tasers, Quakenbush said she would like to postpone any further discussion on the matter pending the resolution of other issues currently before the council.
This is just “bad timing,” she said, noting the council was already facing several controversial issues dealing with town finances and the status of Redkey clerk-treasurer Brenda Adkins’ job.
“It’d just be one more controversy,” Quakenbush said. “Right now people (in Redkey) don’t want to hear about tasers, but want to know about water bills and who is behind (in their payments).
“Let’s get our house in order,” she said, adding that at the present time the town would have trouble paying for new tires for a squad car. She then told Haines and James “You should worry more about whether you’re going to get paid — not whether you can carry a taser on your belt.”
Town council president Violet Erlenbush asked if there were any audience members who wanted to express an opinion about this issue.
“Personally, I’m against it,” Redkey resident Charlie Noble said. “I don’t know why this town is so rough and tough that we need tasers,” he added.
Redkey resident Jim Barrett said he felt the town had more important things to discuss than tasers. “I don’t think this is the time for more controversy in Redkey,” Barrett said. He added, “I think we should have our financial issues settled before dealing with tasers.”
As the meeting continued, Erlenbush said she felt the materials presented by the police officers should be studied further. Also council members said they wanted to determine how having the police equipped with tasers might affect town insurance premiums.
Haines and James have both been trained in the use of tasers. Several months ago Redkey businessman Michael Shannon offered to purchase a taser for the town, if officials were interested in using it. That demonstration taser was loaned to the community and has since been locked in a safe at the town hall.
In his presentation Haines said, “The real reason for this meeting is about safety — for the safety of your police officers and for the safety of the good citizens of Redkey. Now I’m going to use that dreaded word — taser. I believe the only reason that people fear it, is because they aren’t aware of its benefits and how it works.”
Haines continued, “What is a taser and how does it work? A taser is an enforcement tool just like pepper spray or a night stick or a baton or flashlight. It is used in situations where lethal force has not yet become necessary. It looks like a pistol but shoots two probes up to 25 feet with small wires attached. An electrical charge is then sent through these wires when the trigger is pulled. The charge lasts only five seconds and can be stopped sooner,” Haines said.
James added that 6,000 law enforcement agencies across the country are equipped with tasers, including the Dunkirk and Jay County police departments. James said he believes the taser is especially effective in dealing with individuals who are high on drugs or threatening suicide — people who are not likely to listen to reason or the command of a police officer.
Barrett said that perhaps the town should ask residents to vote on whether or not the Redkey police officers should carry tasers. “The people will tell you no,” he predicted.
“I think what everyone is scared of is the unknown,” James said.
Following further discussion, Erlenbush said, “I think the timing has a lot to do with this.” She then apologized to James for not bringing up this issue several weeks ago when he first suggested it. She recommended the issue be tabled until the next town council session. In the meantime council members plan to review the written materials relating to tasers which the police officers gave them Friday as well as view a videotape on the subject.
The next Redkey council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 15 in town hall.[[In-content Ad]]
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