BRUNSWICK

Brunswick Elks Lodge #2043 has donated more than $2,000 through a grant for the town’s police department to purchase new surveillance equipment.

Speaking at a recent Brunswick Town Council meeting, Elks representative James Oikle said the equipment would help ensure police personnel are able to scope out a situation without having to venture into harm’s way.

Most of the funds went to a Nikon field scope, according to Brunswick Police Det. William Moir.

Officers and detectives could also use the scope for surveillance situations. The grant also covered the cost for a pair of binoculars to be used for the same purposes.

Marine Patrol Division could potentially use the scope to check on clam digging activities, or view a boat from shore to see if it is in distress.

Special Response Team snipers can also use the scope for long-range viewing, enabling them to monitor a situation without putting their safety at risk.

Help fire department

The scope could also be used by the fire department’s hazardous materials team so first responders could view a potentially contaminated scene from a safe distance.

The scope can be attached to one of the department’s camera. Police were also able to obtain a camera flash and accessories to aid in evidence collection at crime scenes, Moir said.

The items purchased through the Elks’ grant “go above anything we ever would have been able to purchase through our budget. I know having this equipment will help us do our job better in keeping citizens and officers safe and to strengthen our photographic evidence collection,” said Moir.

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com