Red Bank Police Chief Larry Sneed showcased new taser guns the police department is buying from Gulf States Distributors at the Red Bank City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
Red Bank is purchasing 16 X-26 model taser guns to total $14,255.65, which the council approved to come out of the city’s drug fund.
“It’s a great tool. It’s going to save some lives,” said Chief Sneed.
Each officer must be shot with the taser as part of training. This battery-powered model will be shot on average at a 21-foot distance. The subject is hit with a 50,000 volt force, which is non-lethal.
The guns are equipped with software to record frequency and length of taser shots.
For an additional $400, a camera may be purchased for each gun.
Barbara Brogden of Red Bank’s The Gallery on Dayton Boulevard came before the council to request cooperation with the Merchant’s Association in bringing an art exhibit to Red Bank in August. The exhibit, entitled “Wild Ride,” is made up of seven stainless steel horses ranging from seven to 14 feet tall. The work is currently at Booth Western Art Museum.
Ms. Brogden plans to work with Red Bank’s public works department to place the horses around Red Bank, probably along Dayton Boulevard. She plans to call it “Take a Wild Ride Through Red Bank.”
Ms. Brogden hopes to get local businesses and sections of town involved with each work. The council pledged its support pending the adoption of an insurance plan for the works. For a preview, go to http://www.boothmuseum.org/wildride.htm.
Tom Scott, stormwater management consultant from Hamilton County, reported that the county is considering imposing a new regulation on developers requiring them to reduce stormwater runoff by 20 percent. Mr. Scott discourages such a regulation because it will put off much-needed development in smaller municipalities surrounding Chattanooga such as Red Bank. As the rules now stand, developers must maintain runoff levels equal to those of the pre-developed land.
The council praised the police and fire departments for their efforts at the recent White Oak Park murder, the home burning off of Highway 58, and recent gang-related car break-ins. It also praised the facelift at the center containing The Gallery and the Insyde-Outsyde shop at the Morrison Springs-Dayton Boulevard intersection.
“That’s the heart of our city, guys…It’s going to look like a postcard,” said Commissioner Pat Brown.
The council also announced that Ashland Terrace will be undergoing extensive road work that is projected to last over a year. Included in the plans is to align the intersection with Knollwood and Crestview.
Eva Joyner Williams, owner of Mojo Burrito at 1800 Dayton Blvd., was granted a beer license.
The council approved on the second reading to close the unopened right-of-way at the 4500 block of Summitt Avenue.