Richmond Hill City Council Tuesday night purchased more than $201,000 worth of equipment for its police department and addressed several zoning issues.

The meeting lasted almost 90 minutes, much longer than usual, due to a packed agenda and several public comments. Several agenda items were carried over from the April 17 meeting, which had to be cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.

The new equipment for the RHPD includes bulletproof vests, helmets and shields for the SWAT Team, a new K-9 narcotics officer and five new vehicles.

Chief Mitch Shores said the SWAT equipment will outfit 14 officers. The vehicles being purchased include two Ford F-150 trucks and three Ford Explorers. Additional monies will go toward the emergency equipment needed to get the vehicles patrol-ready, such as light bars, decals and radios.

Shores said the larger vehicles are needed for a variety of reasons.

Please see Thursday's Bryan County News for more information.