Marysville approves two public-safety grants for training and a drug analyzer

Marysville’s City Council voted to accept two public-safety grants that officials say will expand training and reduce risk to officers and the public.

Tim Escalante, representing the police department, told the council the State Crisis Intervention Program grant will fund six firearm-safety classes, provide up to 150 personal firearm safes for class attendees and pay $5,000 for a fire‑retardant safe for the department’s evidence room. He said the award also covers training expenses, including tuition and travel for two staff to attend FLETC mental-health training and ICAT instructor training for supervisors. "The grant will cover six firearm safety classes…up to 150 personal firearms safes for us to hand out for the attendees, and $5,000 for a fire retardant safe for us to store things within our department evidence room," Escalante said.

Council members moved and seconded approval to accept the grant and carried the motion by voice vote.

Escalante also outlined a Kansas Justice Assistance Grant award of up to $40,000 to purchase a TrueNarc drug analyzer. He explained the device can test certain substances through packaging, reducing the need to open packages and thereby lowering exposure risk to officers, suspects and others. "It allows you to test it through the packaging so you never have to open it up," Escalante said. The council approved acceptance of the JAG award by voice vote.

Both measures were presented as operational improvements intended to keep officers safer in the field while expanding the department’s training capacity. Officials said some training costs (travel, tuition) are included in the grants and that equipment purchases will be made within the award limits.