COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater Township came to the financial aid of the Branch County Sheriff’s Department this week.
Sheriff Fred Blankenship wants to replace outdated tasers and modify the type of handguns his deputies carry as part of the department’s 2026 budget.
After Blankenship talked with Coldwater Township officials, the Township Board voted this past Monday night to approve expenditures of just under $196,000 in solar grant funding to the Sheriff’s Department so that they could buy the equipment.
Blankenship told Branch County Commissioners on Thursday that they recently entered into a five year contract with Axon to lease 30 tasers at a cost of $160,000 as parts for the older tasers were getting harder to get.
He added they are looking at a Sheriff’s Department mobile app for citizens to use in case of an emergency.
Coldwater Township Supervisor Don Rogers said they are willing to assist the Sheriff’s Department and the County in updating and upgrading equipment. He hoped the financial assistance will allow the county to focus on better benefits and wages for road patrol deputies.
Should have given the money to the fire department for equipment to handle the disaster when lighting hits those batteries.