Alabaster police to get assault rifles
ALABASTER &8212; Police officers in Alabaster will soon start carrying some heavy artillery.
The city council voted Monday to send out bids for 12 AR-15 assault rifles.
The guns will be given to city officers who have completed a training course with the Shelby County Sheriff&8217;s Office.
&8220;You got to qualify. You&8217;ve got to be trained to use it,&8221; said Police Chief Stanley Oliver. &8220;If we don&8217;t think you&8217;re qualified to tote it, you won&8217;t.&8221;
Councilman Jerry Workman said he was initially concerned about which officers would carry the guns.
&8220;But now I think this is a good situation,&8221; said Workman. &8220;The guns will be placed with more experienced officers who have the proper training and certification.&8221;
Mayor David Frings has repeatedly said he hopes the guns are seldom used but that he also doesn&8217;t want his officers to be ill-equipped.
The council expects the guns to cost around $14,000
Snipping locks to boost kids self-esteem
ALABASTER &8212; Thompson Middle School student Shelley Murrell decided she wanted a haircut for summer. But the 11-year-old&8217;s not just... read more