Newly-hired Winamac Police Chief Branson Eber presented requests to the Winamac Town Council during their meeting Monday, February 10.
Chief Eber asked for the purchase of two used police cars from Chicago Motors for about $25,000 and about $24,000, respectively for all-wheel drive Chargers. He explained that he would trade in an old Durango. One new vehicle is budgeted in the 2025 budget for $50,000 but the two vehicles requested could be purchased with the amount budgeted. Extra expenses would include decals on the vehicles and the installation of equipment. The council members unanimously approved a motion to allow for the purchases.
Chief Eber also asked to enter into a contract with Bill Raber, a retired officer from the Peru Police Department, to conduct a complete audit of the Police Department’s evidence room. Raber spent 35 years as a police officer, 9 years as police chief, and 8 years as a captain in charge of evidence management. Chief Eber said he believes about 70 to 80 percent of the items in the evidence room could be purged as some items date back to the 1990s. The contract is for $3,000. Chief Eber said Raber would train him and newly-hired officer Brett Funk on rules and procedures to properly handle evidence, move the evidence and purge evidence. The council unanimously approved the request.
Additionally, two part-time officers have also been hired to add to the police roster and officers have been monitoring drivers on 60 South as speed complaints have been filed in that area.
