Scott City police purchase Tasers

The Scott City Police Department recently purchased two Taser guns with money received from private funds, police chief Don Cobb announced at Monday's Scott City Council meeting.

This is the first time the department has had Tasers, which are able to send an electrical charge from 21 feet. The charge makes an individual lose muscle control for about five to seven seconds, long enough for police to handcuff the suspect. He said Tasers replace impact weapons like batons which can have longer-lasting effects when used.

Two shift sergeants will be trained in the use of the Tasers Thursday, while the rest of the department will be trained at a later date.

Cobb said the department will purchase more of the devices once the money becomes available.

The police department has just put in a request for a block grant in order to purchase a new patrol car. Currently, the department has three patrol cars, one of which is on its way out with around 150,000 miles on it.

The department should find out if they received the block grant in November.

In other business, the city council :

Unanimously voted to rezone property at 203 Emma Ave. from residential to commercial.

Unanimously approved an ordinance declaring a property, located at 115 Washington St., a dangerous building requiring demolition.

Heard from Scott City parks and recreation director Phyllis Crump that the department's Haunted Hayride will take place Oct. 22 and 23 and the annual Scott City Halloween parade will start at 10 a.m. Oct. 22. Crump said volunteers are needed to help with the parade.

Received one bid in the amount of $62,222 from Westport Pools for the renovation work on the Scott City municipal pool; no action was taken.

• Appointed Sand Brown to the parks and recreation board.