Portsmouth PD makes its case for Lenco Medcat
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
PORTSMOUTH- Last week’s Portsmouth City Council session found divergent voices in regards to the need for an armored vehicle to be used by the city’s police department.
1st Ward Councilman Sean Dunne has opposed the purchase of a Lenco Medcat as it reemerged last month, voting against during the City Manager’s session on April 26 and in first reading on May 10 after originally attempting to table the measure that evening.
“There is not one person that I’ve spoken to at Shawnee State University that thinks this is a good idea,” the sociology professor said, later clarifying that he was not delivering a direct message from SSU but rather relaying what administration, faculty, and staff that he has held conversations with have said.
Dunne ‘outraged’ by Lenco Medcat purchase reattempt
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
PORTSMOUTH Conversations surrounding the purchase of an armored vehicle for the Portsmouth Police Department again proved to be a contested matter during Monday night’s city council session.
Once again making it to council’s agenda despite objections from 1st Ward Councilman Sean Dunne, the funding and necessity for the Lenco Medcat– a tactical automobile suited for SWAT or EMS teams with medical lighting and storage capabilities- were still his reasons for not being in favor of the vehicle previously valued at $265,000.
Public sentiment and belief among Shawnee State University administration, faculty, and staff that he spoke with, where Dunne is employed, he feels is also on his side.
Lenco Medcat back on council agenda
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
PORTSMOUTH One piece of legislation will be making its way back to first reading on May 10, just four months after Portsmouth City Council failed to pass it.
With grant funding being the issue last time, City Manager Sam Sutherland said on Monday that he and the Portsmouth Police Department sorted through city finances and came out with a potential solution.
“It was discussed heavily that council would like to see some grant funds applied to this,” he said at the first meeting allowing public in-person attendance in over a year. “We did some digging into the finances and found approximately $81,000.”
Dunne votes against “problematic” purchase of $265,000 armored vehicle
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
1st Ward Councilman Sean Dunne (right) voted against an ordinance which would’ve appropriated $265,000 in the purchase of an armored vehicle for the Portsmouth SWAT, Police and Fire Departments on Monday evening. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth City Council failed to pass legislation Monday evening which would have appropriated $265,000 from the city’s General Fund for the purchase of an armored vehicle.
Despite having a majority of the votes, 3-1 in favor, the missing fourth vote prevented the passing of the measure. Such was the case earlier this year when a 3-2 vote ended an attempt to decriminalize marijuana possession.