November 1, 2023 |
Photo – Medicine Bow Marshal logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Medicine Bow Marshal’s Office requested more equipment and even another part-time deputy recently.
During the October 9th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Marshal Hawks asked the council to permit him to seek out a grant to purchase a fourth mobile data terminal.
Marshal Hawks said a new mobile data terminal costs about $2,500. The marshal said the police computer is necessary to maintain compatibility with the digital ticketing program his office uses, called digiTICKET.
Councilman Justin George asked Marshal Hawks if grants exist to fund the purchase of a new police computer. The marshal said he thinks he can find a grant, but he asked the council to allow him to buy a fourth mobile data terminal even if he can’t procure outside funding.
Marshal Hawks said his department lacks the budget to cover the cost of an additional computer. South Central Wyoming EMS board member Irene Archibald said Marshal Hawks should contact Carbon County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman to ask about an Office of Homeland security grant.
Marshal Hawks also asked the council to allow him to seek a grant to purchase a fourth patrol vehicle. The marshal said he would like to have an extra vehicle that can be deployed in the event that one of his other patrol vehicles is out of commission.
Marshal said even with a grant, he is still at least a year away from receiving a new police vehicle. The marshal also said he could request an unused vehicle from another town.
During the October 9th town council meeting, Marshal Hawks also requested permission to apply for a grant to purchase an additional automated external defibrillator, or AED.
The marshal said neither Deputy Marshal Holt’s vehicle nor the Marshal’s office itself contains the state mandated medical device.
An AED is used to diagnose and treat people experiencing erratic heartbeats commonly associated with a heart attack. Marshal Hawks said the devices cost around $2,500 a piece, but he is certain that grants exist to pay for the entire purchase price.
Marshal Hawks also asked for permission to apply for a grant to buy a side-by-side to be shared between the Medicine Bow Fire Department and the Marshal’s Office. Marshal Hawks said the small off-road vehicle will allow him more easily to assist in winter rescues.
Marshal Hawks said grants exist specifically to cover the cost of search and rescue equipment.
The Medicine Bow Marshal’s Office has three officers, Marshal Roger Hawks and Deputy Marshals Chris Tirpak and Charles Holt. The Marshal wants more help. The marshal also asked the town council to create a part-time deputy marshal position for his department. Marshal Hawks said he’s had people say they wanted to work for him, but not full-time.
Marshal Hawks said a part-time deputy marshal would be a good choice for the town because the person wouldn’t qualify for medical benefits.
The marshal said his goal is to focus on grants that do not require the town to contribute any of its own money.
Councilman George instructed Marshal Hawks to work with the town’s fire and public works departments on the AED and side-by-side grants.
The council motioned to allow Marshal Hawks to apply for grants for the mobile data terminal, spare vehicle, side-by-side, and AED. Nothing was mentioned about the part-time deputy marshal position.
