April 23, 2002

CITY PURCHASES MOBILE POLICE FIRING RANGE

RAHWAY, NJ – Mayor James Kennedy announced this week that the city is purchasing a mobile firing range for use by the police department. Earlier this month, the City Council unanimously accepted a $230,125 bid by Caswell International Corporation of Minneapolis for the firing range, which will replace the current facility that is adjacent to Hart Street Park. The new range will be installed in October.

“We know that residents living in the area of the old firing range have endured noise from the facility, and it was our duty to address those concerns,” said Kennedy. “Working with them and Police Chief Kevin White, I’m optimistic that we will have a state-of-the-art facility for our police officers while addressing the legitimate noise complains raised by residents in the area.”

The new firing range can accommodate up to three police officers for training on a variety of police firearms. The New Jersey Attorney General requires police officers across the state to receive a minimum of 4 firearm training sessions annually. The facility will have flip-up targets and an OSHA-compliant filter that will significantly reduce the inhalation of lead vapor from ammunition. Also included in the package will be a laser simulation system and related firearms training software.