The 2016 Leadership Greenwood Class of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce is determined to help the Greenwood Police Department get needed body cameras.
The class of 14 up-and-coming business leaders is holding a raffle for the purchase of the cameras, which cost $350 each. The price for a raffle ticket is $10.
Tickets may be purchased at the chamber, 402 U.S. 82 West, during regular business hours.
The first-place prize is $3,000 cash, followed by $1,500 for second place and $500 for third. The raffle drawing will be held at noon Oct. 28 at the Greenwood Police Department, 701 U.S. 82 West.
“We had a goal of raising about $6,400 from the raffle. We’re about 90 percent there,” Class President Ryan Strawbridge said Thursday.
Strawbridge said the ball got rolling when Wayne Vance, a class member, talked to Police Chief Ray Moore about the need for the additional body cameras.
The department has 24 cameras. It needs around 32 additional cameras and is seeking funding from outside businesses and individuals to cover the estimated $38,400 cost of the cameras, docking stations and related software.
Strawbridge said the raffle is just one aspect of the effort to supply the department with body cameras: “We’re also soliciting donations from area businesses and individuals.”
In addition, the Greenwood Kiwanis Club on Thursday agreed to purchase two cameras, said Jerry Ables, the club’s secretary/treasurer. Ables said he hoped the contribution would prod others in the community to join in.
“We’ve been a civic club here in Greenwood since 1920. We’ve often looked at other parts of the world where we can help.We feel like this is something we wanted to do,” he said.
Mayor Carolyn McAdams said she had already bought her two tickets.
“It’s very helpful when people recognize that they are needed,” she said. “With the money that we’re getting from the citizens, the city will make up the difference.”
Police Chief Ray Moore said the community’s support of the police has been gratifying.
“The people in this town are absolutely fantastic,” he said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
