By By LISA TINDELL – News reporter
Brewton and East Brewton Police Officers can now do their job with a greater sense of security thanks to the Brewton Leadership Class of 2005-2006.
According to Judy Crane, executive director of the Brewton Chamber of Commerce who sponsors the classes, this group was able to put together a plan that raised more than $23,000 in order to purchase the vests.
Each Leadership class is informed about government, law enforcement and education during the sessions held. The law enforcement session presented to the group it what got them excited about naming a project.
The group raised fund in a variety of ways allowing them to raise the money needed to meet the project goal.
After meeting the request to purchase vests for members of the police force in Brewton and East Brewton, the class found themselves with nearly $9,000 in the project till.
In reviewing the wish list from each police department, the group decided to meet as many of the requests as funds would allow. Following a discussion by the group and a vote, the Leadership class approved the purchase of the additional equipment.
Brewton Police Department will receive two Stalker radars while East Brewton will receive a dash mounted digital camera, two Dash Hound video systems and two radars.
Members of the 2005-2006 Leadership Class were Rodney Brand, B.C. Cooper, Rev. Ed Glaize, Jack Hines III, Jeff Kirkland, Vanessa Kyles, Shirley Miley, Loretta Thomas and Ian Vickery.
Those businesses, individuals and organizations that donated funds to make the purchase of the equipment possible were Second St. Siloam Baptist Church, Ann Peevy, Cannons Carpets, Thompson, Garrett and Hines, James R. Lynn, Reid and Susan McBride, Emily Findlay Wesley, Mark Reynolds, Dennis Adams, Greater Brewton Foundation, D.W. McMillan Trust, Citation of Brewton, Brewton Rotary Club, Robert C. McMillan, Otts, Moore and Coale, NDI, Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, First National Bank Charitable Foundation, Jim Peach Motors, Medical Center Pharmacy, First United Methodist Church, Magnolia Super Foods, Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Kiwanis Club of Brewton, W.T. Neal Trust, Harden Enterprises, Inc., Hines Realty Company, inc., The Securance Group, Alabama Power Company, Southern Pine Electric Trust, Grady Automotive of Brewton, D.W. McMillan Hospital and the Greater Brewton Lions Club.