By Staff
Melissa Cason
RED BAY- The Red Bay Police Department has been learning all about some new equipment they recently received.
The department held training exercises this week, learning how to use stinger spikes, Chief Pat Creel said.
The spikes were bought through a $25,000 grant.
"We got this grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs," Creel said.
Items purchased through the grant include the spike systems, car video systems, portable breath testing kits, digital cameras, patrol rifles, ultra-violet digital camera and patrol shotguns.
"Some of these items are replacements for items lost in the 2006 fire, while other items are simply upgrades," Creel said.
"Now that we have these spikes, we can safely and effectively end high speed chases," Creel said.
The spikes can be placed across the road to damage tires when they are driven over.
"It's a safe means to stop high speed pursuits," the chief said.
He said his department has been involved in several high-speed pursuits, especially since Red Bay is so close to the state line.
"We get a lot of bounce back from the state line where people are trying to elude police in Mississippi," Creel said.
The stinger spike training is one of several training sessions planned to teach officers how to use the new equipment.
"This will really help the department and the city," Creel said.