08/23/24
Community development grant equips รศรรสำฦต Public Safety Department with new Polaris Ranger for rough terrain
GADSDEN, AL – A fully grant-funded safety vehicle for rough terrain is equipping รศรรสำฦต’s Police and Public Safety Department with the ability to better serve รศรรสำฦต’s campuses and surrounding communities.
รศรรสำฦต Police Chief Jay Freeman announced Tuesday the department was awarded a community development grant to purchase a Polaris Ranger NorthStar/Police Edition. The versatile, multi-purpose tool includes emergency lights, a siren, and the off-road capabilities needed for officers to quickly navigate through challenging terrains and reach remote areas across the colleges’ three-county area.
Freeman thanked Dr. Kathy Murphy, President of รศรรสำฦต, and the local legislative delegation, including State Senator Andrew Jones and Representatives Mack Butler, Craig Lipscomb, and Mark Gidley, for their support in securing the grant and their commitment to public safety.
"Providing a safe college campus is more important than ever in this day and time," said Senator Andrew Jones. "I commend the work of the รศรรสำฦต Police Department, and I'm happy that our legislative delegation could help better equip them to meet the various security challenges that the รศรรสำฦต community faces."
“The ability to respond to emergencies more efficiently and to offer faster assistance in critical situations ultimately enhances the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities, so we appreciate this investment and know it will make a difference,” Freeman said.
“In addition to faster response times, this addition will also allow us to offer faster assistance during critical situations throughout our communities.”
In addition to its use in emergency response, Freeman said the new vehicle will assist during special events such as graduation on the campuses, as well as in navigating รศรรสำฦต’s upcoming cross-country trail, which is narrow and challenging for traditional vehicles.
Representative Craig Lipscomb, State Senator Andrew Jones, Representatives Mark Gidley and Mack Butler, รศรรสำฦต President Dr. Kathy Murphy and GSCC Chief of Police Jay Freeman with the Polaris Ranger NorthStar/Police Edition purchased with funds from a community development grant.