Clanton PD gets new wheels

Published 5:16 pm Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Clanton Police Department has a new humvee, one of three new vehicles in their fleet.

Two recent additions to the Clanton Police Department allow officers to go anywhere –literally.

Through assistance from the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office, the CPD has acquired two humvees for navigation in severe weather emergency situations, among other uses.

“One will be utilized by the police department to use for community events and to be utilized during severe weather,” said Chief Brian Stilwell. “The other will be used by the fire department, and they will mount [a place to hold] a stretcher on it.”

He said he hopes to use the police department humvee for public relations as well.

“Our main focus is to use in severe weather to go places normal vehicles can’t,” he said. “But also when we do Cops ‘n’ Kids Day at West End Park and things like that.”

Stilwell said the department also acquired a golf cart as well as an ambulance to help better serve the community.

“We’ve got a few things from state surplus,” he said. “We have a golf cart now for ball season to help provide a more visible presence in the parks. We also acquired an ambulance we’re retrofitting to use as a command center.”

Stilwell said the three vehicles (humvee, golf cart and ambulance) were all purchased through surplus using drug seizure money and cost less than $5,000 total.

“I do appreciate Kevin [Davis] and the sheriff’s department for their assistance,” he said. “We really thank them.”