Pocono News Section

Tasers Give Lyco Cops Extra Sting

Tasers Give Lyco Cops Extra Sting - Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 6:11PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Jan 7, 2010 @ 06:11pm EST
Muncy, Lycoming County-

Lycoming County cops have a new weapon to help in their fight against crime. And it may be their most effective deterrent yet.

Muncy Police Chief Richard Sutton says Tasers are the non-lethal weapon of choice for combating crime.

Sutton explained, “It keeps the officer from getting injured. It also reduces liability because of having to use a chemical agent, physical confrontation, or a striking device.”

106 of the electric shock devices have been purchased thanks to a $100,000 grant secured by Congressman Chris Carney.

That’s enough to arm every on-duty officer in Lycoming County.

John Fave, of Picture Rocks, said, “They run into some situations there that they might be able to control a person that’s having a bad day.”

Newly sworn-in Muncy Borough Mayor Edward Dannemann agrees.

He noted, “One of the thoughts I have is the avoidance of deadly force. If this stops somebody from having to use deadly force, I think it’s a great thing.”

Each municipality in Lycoming County is responsible for getting it’s officers certified to use the Tasers. Only a handful have had the weapons in the past.

The newer Tasers are much smaller than the older version. They also use a technology that’s about five or six years more advanced.

And officers tell me they’re much more effective at subduing the bad guys.

Sutton said, “They’ve seen enough TV shows, they’ve heard about it. They know that it’s going to stop them and they know if it’s used that they may feel some pain with it too.”

Fave added, “If somebody pulled out a Taser I think I would stop in my tracks. Just to see it would be enough.”

Chief Sutton says nearly three years of effort went into securing the grant to purchase the Tasers.