Law enforcement in Des Moines County will be getting new active shooter gear soon. The Burlington City Council approved the spending of up to $20,363 from a JAG grant (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant) during the council meeting Monday, Aug. 1. That money will be used for the purchase of active shooter response equipment accessible to city and county law enforcement.
Burlington Police Chief Marc Denney told the council that just over $18,000 of that is enough to purchase three active shooter response kits, which comes to just over $6,000 per kit. According to Denney, the active shooter response kits include ballistic armor, medical trauma equipment, helmets, communication technology, nylon belts, thigh holsters, a ballistic shield, and halogen tools.
In other business, the council passed eight resolutions. Those include:
• A resolution approving nuisance abatements for various properties.
• A resolution approving purchase of a 2022 Elgin Pelican NP Street Sweeper for the Public Works Department.
• A resolution approving final acceptance and release of retention monies for the Locust Sewer Separation Project.
• A resolution approving final acceptance, final payment, and release of retention monies for the 2020 Flood Mitigation Project Phase VI.
• A resolution approving an agreement with Impact 7G, Inc. for historical reconnaissance services associated with the Madison Avenue and Ninth Street Resurfacing Project.
• A resolution approving the distribution plan for American Rescue Plan Act Funding of $15,000 for the Burlington Police Department’s Watchguard Storage System Improvements.
• A resolution approving required local match of $40,000 for high quality jobs program to Western Smokehouse and Meat Market, LLC.