Uhrichsville council tables request for an evidence incinerator
UHRICHSVILLE (WJER) (July 20, 2023) – Police Chief Vince Beal wants to tap into the department’s equipment fund to buy a drug and document incinerator, but city council won’t allow it without more information.
Beal was on vacation last week and couldn’t make it to Thursday’s council meeting so Service Director Belle Everett made the request on his behalf.
“He is requesting to spend up to $20,000 but believes the cost would be less than $15,000, and that’s with installation, we’re hoping. And we’ll be placing the incinerator at 126 N. Main outside. That’s where the gas lines would have to be run at that sort of thing.”
Everett told council the incinerator would pay for itself since the city would no longer have to pay two or more officers to take drugs and confidential police records to the one in East Liverpool multiple times a year.
“Chief Beal is very protective of that fund, and he feels that this would be money well spent.”
Councilman Jim Zucal and other members wanted to know about the potential environmental impact, regulatory requirements, and how other enforcement agencies in the area handled the process.
“This is like we’re just throwing it against the wall and seeing what sticks, and I don’t think that’s fair to council. I don’t think it’s fair to our constituents. I’m not saying I’m opposed to it. I just need to know more about it, a lot more about it.”
Everett couldn’t provide answers, so council tabled the request until a future meeting when Beal could be there to explain.