UPDATE: Banning Police to Receive New Stock of Tasers

WEDNESDAY UPDATE:  The council voted 5-0 in favor of approving the acceptance of the grant, which will allow the police department to proceed with the purchase of new Tasers.  Original story as follows.

The Banning City Council will vote Tuesday night on accepting a federal grant that will allow the police department to purchase new Tasers to replace its existing supply. 

A recommendation that the council accept the grant prepared by Banning Police Lieutenant Phil Holder says the department last bought Tasers in 2006—adding that the “general useful life expectancy” for these weapons is only five years.

In April, the department—along with 14 other agencies in Riverside County—applied for U.S. Bureau of Justice money in the amount of $12,324, via the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.

“Per U.S. Justice regulations, a public hearing must be conducted to allow citizens to make comments on the intended use of the noted grant funds before the funding can be approved,” Holders report says.

That public hearing will be conducted during Tuesday’s council meeting prior to the council vote.  The meeting begins at 5 p.m., at the Banning Civic Center.

Once the acceptance of funds is approved, the money will go into the police department’s equipment account to buy 7 new X2 Tasers, which come complete with HD cameras, according to the report.