Jackson Police Department prepares to upgrade weapons

JACKSON — A plan to upgrade more than 100 weapons in the Jackson Police Department’s arsenal is moving forward.

According to the Township Council, which unanimously approved the measure during its May 28 meeting, the police department will trade in 110 handguns, nine 12-gauge shotguns, a 37-mm grenade (tear gas) launcher and a bolt action sniper rifle.

The total trade-in value of those weapons is $41,158, which will cover almost the entire $41,965 price tag for the replacement firearms and related accessories, according to information provided by municipal officials.

The transactions will be handled by the Witmer Public Safety Group, Coatesville, Pa., and Jackson will pay the difference of $807.

“I think this is a win-win situation for the residents of Jackson,” Councilman Barry Calogero said. “For the police department, it was a trade-in, trade-up program … that gave them better equipment.”

In March, representatives of the police department addressed the need for new weapons, citing the danger of relying on older firearms in dangerous situations.

“There are springs that wear over time and you replace those, but there are other parts that are now breaking … and the cost of repairing them is well over half the cost of the weapon, which makes it economically unfeasible,” Capt. John Siedler said at the time.

Most of the weapons being replaced are between 10 and 20 years old.

Officers have in the past mentioned that their weapons were at risk of “catastrophic failures” that could put the lives of residents and the officers themselves at risk. Issues such as degrading night sights, which allow officers to line up a shot in times of lower visibility, were also cited by police as a reason for requesting newer weapons.

Police officials viewed the replacement of the older weapons as an opportunity to beef up their ammunition, opting to go from 9-mm rounds to a more powerful .45 ACP caliber bullet to further modernize their arsenal.

A second purchase in the amount of $11,145 for new magazine pouches and handgun holsters from Atlantic Tactical Inc., Somerset, was also approved by the council.

In total, the township will pay $11,952 for the new weapons, accessories and holsters.

“[This program] provides the Jackson police with the tools they need to protect themselves and residents,” Calogero said.

— Andrew Martins