Deering Police Department Recieves Several Grants

From: Chief James H. Pushee, Deering Police Dept.
RE: Press Release

Deering Police Department Receives Several Grants

Chief James Pushee and his officers at the Deering Police Department are pleased to announce that they have recently received equipment from several grant applications. This equipment will enhance emergency communications, officer safety, police and emergency response, community relations, and other services provided by the Deering Police Department.

In June, the Deering Police Department received over 15 Child Car Seats, of various types and styles, through a gift from Wal-Mart and through a joint program with the Injury Prevention Center at CHAD/DHMC. The department is making these seats available for needy families, in an effort to promote child passenger safety. Additionally, by appointment, Officer Thomas Cavanaugh is providing his services as a Certified Child Safety Seat Inspector. Similar car seat usually cost $75.00 or more each, but these came to the Police Department at no cost to the Town of Deering.

In August the Deering Police Department received a ZOLL Automatic External Defibrillator, valued at over $1500.00, from the NH-Bureau of Emergency Medical Services “Rural AED Grant Program.” This lifesaving devise is identical to two received by the department on a similar grant in 2003/2004, which are now being carried daily on patrol by the Police Officers in their marked cruisers. The newest AED unit is being placed permanently with Public Access at the vestibule in the Deering Town Hall, to provide such treatment during the “platinum minutes” following a heart attack or similar medical emergency. There was no cost to the Town of Deering for this AED, or for the two previous AED’S received by the Department.

Also in August, the Deering Police Department took possession of two Bushmaster “M4” Carbine “Patrol Rifles,” along with Eotech Electronic Sights, slings, and training ammunition. These rifles will be issued to the marked patrol vehicles and will enhance the officers ability to defend himself in a violent or deadly encounter. With the rifles, sights, equipment, and ammunition, this “Streetsweeper” Grant provided over $2700.00 in equipment through the United States Attorney’s Office. There was no cost to the Town of Deering for this equipment.

As well, on August 24, 2005, Chief James Pushee will be traveling to the NH-Highway Safety Agency in Concord, NH, to receive 25 Child Sport/Bike Safety Helmets through a grant. These helmets will be provided in similar fashion as the car seats, by officers on patrol who find young children and families in need of such vital protection. These bike helmets usually cost more than $25.00 each, and there is no cost to the town for these helmets. In addition to the helmets, the Deering Police will be hosting a Bicycle Rodeo/Safety Presentation for all Deering Residents on Saturday August 27, 2005, during the Town Wide Chicken Barbeque hosted by the Deering Congregational Church and the Deering Association. Helmets will be on hand during that event for needy families.

Additionally, on August 24, 2005, Chief Pushee will also stop at the NH Department of Safety Headquarters, where he will receive two Motorola XTS3500 series Digital Portable Radios, on an extension of the 2003 “Lawnet” Grant Program. These radios cost almost $4000.00 each, and come to the Police Department at no cost to the Town of Deering. The radios will allow each individual Deering Police Officer to be issued his own personal “take-home” portable radio, which means that officers will no longer have to be trading radios back and forth or going on-duty with a radio that has a dead battery, or without a radio at all. Additionally, since the Deering Police took over all “On-Call” hours in March 2005, Officers who are not on active duty, but are home “on-call” will have this necessary equipment with them at all times.