By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

With a new officer and new equipment on the way, the Bucyrus Police Department is shaping up to be a fully-staffed, safely-equipped force.

At Tuesday night’s Bucyrus City Council meeting, the council passed an ordinance that appropriates $25,000 in the Safety Forces Levy. That money will purchase new guns, rifles, shotguns, and other equipment for the department.

Captain Joe Greathouse explained that the department will be switching to Glock 22 and 23 .40 caliber pistols, weapons of choice for other agencies and officers within the police department. The guns will be fitted with flashlights and the officers will be outfitted with holsters that allow the flashlights to be mounted on the pistols at all times.

The pistols, flashlights, and holsters will be purchased Vance’s Shooter Supply in Columbus.

Greathouse added that the department is also working to purchase new shotguns locally from Baker Brothers. The department’s used guns will be traded in and new shotguns will be purchased from the locally-owned business. Greathouse believed that after the purchase of the shotguns, the department would have an estimated $3,000 credit with Baker Brothers. They plan on purchasing additional ammunition with the money.

Three new rifles will also be purchased for the police department.

Greathouse added that two of the four new cruisers purchased by the department are expected to arrive by Sept. 10.

The Bucyrus Police Department will be swearing in James Mata as the newest police officer Wednesday morning.

Service/Safety Director Jeff Wagner announced that the city’s SAFER Grant, a grant that helps increase a fire department’s staffing levels, has been extended through Nov. 8. Wagner said this will allow the city to use the remaining funds in the grant that was left over due to a late start and a delay in hiring time when personnel left.

With the new school year just days away, the Aumiller Pool has announced days it will be closed. The pool will be open for normal business hours on Aug. 23, 24, 30, and 31. It will be closed on Aug. 18 – 22 and Aug. 25 – 29. The final day for the pool to be open will be Sept. 1.

Two committee meetings have been set for Thursday. The Health and Safety Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. with the Finance Committee meeting following at 5. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers.