The McMinnville Police Department and Fire Dept. seek improvements from the city.

Deputy Chief Michael Lane approached the city Safety Committee on Tuesday and asked to consider the purchase of new radars for McMinnville PD. Lane told the committee, “We want to replace the older ones that are ten plus years old. They’re going to get expensive for upkeep. Basically, every time you have to send one back in to manufacturing, it’s about $500, so we’d like to get these new ones and put them in the new vehicles.”

The type of units they’re seeking are units they have used in the past according to Deputy Chief Lane. He added, “They are paid through the Tennessee Highway Safety Office grants, so it’s 100 percent so it’s no cost to the city.”

Committee chair and alderman Stacey Harvey asked, “This is for new vehicles. Are you asking us to replace the ones in the existing vehicles, too?”

Lane replied, “No, just for the new vehicles.”

Harvey said, “Okay, I just wanted to be sure I understood.”

Harvey and alderman Deitra Dunlap both voted to approve the purchase. Steve Harvey was absent from the meeting and could not vote. The matter will be brought in front of the City Board for approval.

Chief Kendall Mayfield followed up asking the city to consider the purchase of a forcible door entry simulator that can be used by firefighters and police officers.

Chair Harvey said, “I’ve looked through the information in the packet, and it’s Greek to me. Could you help me?”

Mayfield replied, “Yes, it is a prop made for us to use to train to get in doors, different types of doors. And this prop, we got three quotes, and this one that we want came in the cheapest. But it seems to be the best of the three, but what we like about it, it comes with two different doors which swing to the right and to the left.”

He added, “We would use it, the Police Dept. could use it. SWAT teams could use it, too.”

Harvey asked, “What about funding mechanisms for this, chief? What do you have in your budget for such a purchase?”

Mayfield answered, “We budgeted $8,500, and it came in at $8,615. So I think we can find the rest of it to go with it.”

Harvey said, “I believe that. If you can’t, I’ll give it to you.”

Harvey and Dunlap both voted to approve this purchase as well.