Level Plains police purchase new weapons

In a split vote, members of Level Plains' city council approved the purchase of five assault rifles for the police department during the Jan. 3 meeting.

Mayor Tyrus Waters said the assault rifle is a weapon law enforcement officials are commonly equipped with and it will help provide better protection for citizens in case of an emergency. He cited the 2009 incident in Geneva when lone gunman shot at random through the town.

"You hope you never have to use them, but you want to be prepared in case you have to," Waters said.

The council voted 3-2 with one abstention on a motion to purchase the weapons for about $4,000.

Councilmembers Bruce Grantham and Ronnie Thompson voted no due to a desire to procure more bids. Councilmember James Bullinger abstained because he said he'd rather the department purchase weapons with more add-ons such as attachable flashlights and swing kits.

In other business, councilmembers approved a motion to allow police chief Lanice Bonds to travel to Huntsville for a chief's conference.

The councilmembers also approved a motion to allow city clerk Pat Wambles to attend a Master Municipal Clerk Academy.

The mayor also announced he has began advertising for bids on the city's electronic meter project that will replace all water meters with radio-read meters.

The project is being funded through an Alabama Department of Environmental Management loan of $315,000 with full principal forgiveness.

Waters said the project should be complete by the end of this summer.

The next Level Plains meeting is at 6 p.m., Jan. 17, at the city community center.