Will include Taser demo with people’s choice voting to pick the taser target
One “winner” of a contest sponsored by the Greene County Peace Officers Association will be tased in a public demonstration of tasing during National Night Out: Greene County next Aug. 6.
Jefferson police captain Heath Enns explained the Association is planning its first National Night Out, a nationwide community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. The event seeks to provide a chance to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
National Nights Out are held the first Tuesday in August in thousands of communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide. Block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other community events are combined with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits by emergency personnel, exhibits and more.
Local planning is in the early stage. The event will be at the Greene County Community Center from 5 to 8 pm. The goal is a family-friendly event. The Jefferson police department, Greene County sheriff’s office, Iowa State Patrol, Jefferson fire department and Greene County Ambulance all plan to participate.
Enns will provide a Taser demonstration. As a fundraiser prior to the event, 10 well-known persons in the county have agreed to be tased, with the “winner” being the person in whose name the most money is donated.
Persons at risk of being tased include Emily Gannon, Zach Beekman, Scott Johnson, Brian Phillips, Tyler Westhoff, Chris Deal, Carl Behne, Simeon Lang, Jamie Daubendiek and Andy McGinn.
A donation/ballot box is currently at HyVee. It will be moved from time to time in the coming months; watch for location updates. Ballots and donation envelopes are with the ballot box. Click here to see the ballot.
The person who receives the most votes (dollars) will be tased Aug. 6. Proceeds from the balloting will go toward community enrichment programs sponsored by the Greene County Peace Officers Association, a non-profit organization.
