The City of Hokes Bluff sold a fully-equipped 2015 Ford Explorer to the Gadsden State Community College Police and Public Safety Department. The cost to Gadsden State was just $1.
“We want Gadsden State to be as safe as our community,” said Hokes Bluff Mayor Scott Reeves. “Hokes Bluff is among the safest cities in the state. We want to do our part to ensure that Gadsden State remains safe as well. We have children from Hokes Bluff who continue their education at Gadsden State. Their safety and security are a priority for us.”
The Hokes Bluff City Council voted to surplus the vehicle to Gadsden State for one dollar. Reeves presented the keys to Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, and Jay Freeman, chief of the Gadsden State Police and Public Safety Department on March 21. They were joined by Tyler Roe, chief of the Hokes Bluff Police Department; Sgt. Colton Harden, a member of the Gadsden State Police; and Sgt. David Bankson, also of the Gadsden State Police and a member of the Hokes Bluff City Council.
“We love the relationship we are building with Hokes Bluff,” Murphy said. “The safety and security of our students is important to us, which is why we are building a strong police department.”
The Ford Explorer is already outfitted with a cage, radar, lights, sirens and other police equipment.
“We are immensely grateful to the City of Hokes Bluff for this generous gift,” Freeman said. “We thank Mayor Reeves, the City Council and Chief Roe for their extraordinary generosity and support. The Ford Explorer will play a vital role in serving all five of our campuses and supporting various Gadsden State events.”
The Ford Explorer is the College’s third patrol vehicle. They also have four public safety vehicles. The Police and Public Safety Department was created in June with the hiring of Freeman. He currently oversees 12 full-time and seven part-time employees. The department consists of security personnel in addition to certified law enforcement officers.