BOONES MILL, Va. – If you’ve ever traveled down Route 220, you’ve probably passed by Boones Mill.
Now, the police department in the is receiving significant equipment improvements.
“It’s life saving because without it, I wouldn’t have anything. I would be lucky to get another radio for the other police car, because everything is so expensive,” said Kelvin Pruett, Boones Mill Police Chief.
Chief Pruett’s department is tiny, consisting of just himself and one other officer, yet even a small police force requires the proper tools to accomplish its job.
With money from the American Rescue Plan, Pruett was able to make improvements.
“We used that money to upgrade our cameras and put in new computers and new consoles and a new radio in our police cars,” said Pruett.
Pruett said that the agency stops around one hundred automobiles each month traveling through the little town.
Previously, none of the two police vehicles included a computer.
“Everything was done by phone,” said Pruett.
However, he can now use this technology.
“I can run your tags, see if the car is stolen, also see if it’s registered to you or someone else. Run your drivers’ license…now it’s a whole lot easier, I just tap you in on the computer and I’m done with it,” said Pruett.
To better serve and protect Boones Mill residents and others who travel through the area.
