From law enforcement to infrastructure projects and so much more, councilmembers are called on to cover a wide array of topics. Its February 25 meeting was no exception, with council discussing police weapons disposal, Boxwood water line replacement, and the possibility of Amazon’s second headquarters locating near Greenbelt.
There was heated discussion about how to handle replacement of weapons for the Greenbelt Police Department, with Lt. Timothy White informing council they have been in need of a replacement for about two years. The issue of what to do with the used weapons once replacements were purchased divided the council.
“Once weapons leave our hands we have no idea what happens to them,” said Councilmember Rodney Roberts, adding, “we should be setting an example and getting rid of these guns.”
Councilmember Colin Byrd agreed in part. “I’ve seen guns end up in the wrong hands a lot, and I don’t want to be a part of that at all,” said Byrd.
However, he and four other councilmembers voted against Roberts’ motion to destroy all weapons not being used by law enforcement. Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers informed council that the only way to dispose of the weapons completely is to bring them to the trash incinerator in Baltimore. Instead, the police department is considering different companies that might purchase the supply of weapons.
Read more of this story in the March 7 News Review.