June 16, 2023 |
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Saratoga police chief requests to purchase spike strips.
During the June 6th Saratoga town council meeting, Police Chief Mike Morris provided an update on the number of calls his department has responded to this year. Chief Morris said the police dispatch center had received over 1,500 calls since the beginning of the year. The police chief also said officers issued nearly 150 tickets since their computerized citation system, called digiTICKET, was introduced in October.
After giving his report, Chief Morris asked the town council to approve the purchase of six spike strips, called Stop Sticks. The police chief explained what the pursuit intervention devices are used for.
Chief Morris said suspects being pursued on Interstate 80 will often take a random exit to evade the police. In August of 2016, a police chase that began in Nebraska ended in Walcott Junction when the suspect attempted to flee on foot. In April of last year, a suspect led authorities on a high-speed pursuit through Saratoga and Encampment. The chase only ended after the suspect was involved in a serious single-vehicle crash.
Chief Morris said his department has one set of Stop Sticks, purchased sometime in the 1990’s. The police chief said the spike strips are not readily available when needed.
Chief Morris said the Stop Sticks cost nearly $500 a piece. He asked the town council to authorize him to spend close to $3,000 for six sets of the spike strips.
Councilwoman Kathy Beck asked if municipal police departments typically have spike strips. Councilwoman Beck said she thought the Wyoming Highway Patrol would handle most high-speed pursuits. Chief Morris said every officer responds during a chase. The police chief said he believes that Saratoga is the only town in the county without Stop Sticks in their patrol vehicles.
Councilwoman Beck asked how many pursuits Saratoga police were involved in this year. Chief Morris said several chases have occurred, but Saratoga officers were not involved with any of them.
Chief Morris said in the event of a high-speed chase, the section of Highway 130 between Walcott Junction and Saratoga would be the perfect place to deploy the Stop Sticks. Mayor Chuck Davis agreed, saying spike strips are the safest way to end a pursuit. Chief Morris explained how the Stop Sticks help officers minimize the danger for both officers and suspects.
Planning Commission Chairwoman McCall Burau asked Chief Morris if the existing set of Stop Sticks was ever used. The police chief said he believed they were, but didn’t know when. Chief Morris said the Sheriff’s Office supplied the various towns in Carbon County with spike strips in case a fleeing suspect left the interstate. He said chases have become more frequent since other states have opted not to pursue suspects if it posed a danger to the public.
Councilman Mike Cooley asked Chief Morris if he could make due with fewer than six Stop Sticks. The chief said he wanted one for every vehicle in his fleet. Councilman Jacob Fluty asked Chief Morris if his officers could exchange the spike strips when they went on and off duty. The chief said that would work.
Chief Morris said the spike strips can be purchased with a carrying bag, making them easier to transfer between vehicles. He said the bag is an added cost, but he wasn’t sure how much more money it would be.
Mayor Davis said he wanted to approve the purchase before the new fiscal year, which begins next month. He asked the council to approve a purchase for the approximate price of three Stop Sticks with the carrying bags. Mayor Davis said it would be somewhere between $1,600 and $1,700. Councilman Cooley made the motion and Councilman Jacob Fluty seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Chief Morris said he will change the purchase order and bring it back to the council when he knows the exact price.
