Newton City Council will look to accept a $26,000 grant from Alliant Energy to purchase an electric police motorcycle at its Monday meeting.
In July, Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess presented the idea of purchasing an electric police motorcycle to be used by the department for various patrol areas. With its smaller size, the motorcycle is ideal for patrolling parks and narrower roads not easily accessible by patrol cars.
The NPD partnered with Hometown Rewards to submit an application to Alliant Energy as a part of its “Bright Ideas” grant opportunity. The grant is given to community projects that focus on energy efficiency and conservation, educate the public on existing and emerging technologies and establish or prove the effectiveness of a cutting-edge energy technology.
The motorcycle hits on each category by reducing fuel costs, air emissions and maintenance fees of transitional motorcycles and squad cars. The NPD will also provide statistics in relation to the activities the motorcycle uses and the crimes or issues that are resolved as a result of the motorcycle’s use.
The NPD has identified a Zero Duel Sport Electric Police Motorcycle from Fender Cycle and Motorsports, Inc. in Des Moines for $19,867. The motorcycle will come fully equipped with emergency lights, sirens and equipment bags.
The additional funds will be used toward training and safety equipment, such as emblems and helmets, for officers.
The council will also look to redefine what a “public nuisance” is by expanding on the previous definition. The city is looking to cover a wider breadth of issues including those that are injurious to health and safety and adding a provision prohibiting “houses of ill fame.”
That effort focuses on ongoing behavioral issues relating to the property, the property owner or occupants. It includes, but is not limited to, quarreling, drunkenness, excessive noise, drug trafficking, prostitution and gambling.
The change will give city staff more flexibility in battling nuisances and, in certain cases, provide the city with a faster remedy than it currently has.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com