At Monday’s Eureka Springs City Council meeting questions were raised about the police department’s purchase of a “sniper rifle” and other equipment. Whether the expensive item was needed in Eureka Springs was brought up several times and the cost though several times, both in Public Comments and when alderman Harry Meyer brought the item to the table, the price of the rifle was mistakenly referenced as $13,000.
Police Chief Brian Young explained that purchase is because members of the department are on a shared Special Response Team (SRT) with other departments. Meyer questioned why the weapon was not acquired through the Department of Defense, with Young saying that what the department could have received for free would have been antiquated rifles. Young rhetorically asked, as part of the obligation to protect the community, if it would be better to use a rifle fired many times before or one that is guaranteed to work.
Meyer pushed, questioning what the likelihood of something happening that would require the use of the rifle with Young saying that he hoped nothing happens but “we have to train and be prepared for it.” Meyer also questioned why not call state police for those situations arguing that they are better trained. Young countered that state police has the same certification as those on the SRT, and the officer issued the firearm is “certified by the state.” Young added that depending on the time of day it may take up to an hour before a state trooper could arrive in town.
Regarding the cost, Young clarified that the rifle was $3,285, but Meyer, flipping through an invoice, said the cost was higher when factoring in additional equipment, including scopes and carbine stock. Meyer also noted the purchase of red-dot sights for pistols, saying “you gotta lot of toys over at the police department.” Young pointed out that the invoice Meyer was reading included the purchase of two more rifles, also meant for members of the SRT.
Young also mentioned that each patrolman is issued a handgun, rifle, and shotgun which seemed to take Meyer aback with him asking “so we have 15 of them? For a town of 2,200 people?” and Young said that the issuing of firearms is standard in police departments.
Meyer and Young’s back and forth continued into discussion of crime rate which Meyer said a Google search had shown a “fantastically high number.” Young said that most searched for crime rates in town will include the rate for the entire Western District of Carroll County.
Alderman Melissa Greene questioned if the member of the PD who would be issued the rifle had greater certification than other officers, and Young said that they do. He also said that member is responsible for the rifle and often keeps it in office. Young said the difference between the rifle in question and a patrol rifle is caliber, and that the company it was purchased from guarantees a certain level of accuracy and warranty.
Alderman Autumn Slane said she thought that the purchase should have gone through council and Young said that he had budgeted for it and the budget had been approved. Meyer argued council had not seen that detail.
The conversation diverted briefly to body cameras, with Young saying at this moment all body cameras are working, although they have had to be shipped off to be fixed in the past.
Alderman David Avanzino asked if each city that has officers who make up the SRT are responsible for equipping the corresponding officers with weapons and equipment to fit that role and Young answered, “Yes.” Meyer argued that these types of purchases and questions are the reason council should have a separate budget committee.