A resolution retroactively approving submission of four grants totaling more than $84,000 for the police department — including the purchase of three Grappler police bumpers to immobilize vehicles that are fleeing — will be discussed by the Apache Junction City Council Monday and voted on Tuesday.
The council meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 for a work session and 7 p.m. Oct. 15 for a meeting in the council chambers, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.
The Grapplers are needed in part because of development south of Baseline Road and increased traffic.
“With this growth, there will be additional roadways and a significant increase in speeding, aggressive/reckless driving and vehicles failing to yield,” it states in a highway safety grant agreement. “The requested funding will be used to purchase Grappler police bumper systems. These are de-escalation tools that can be used to immobilize vehicles that are fleeing, refusing to stop and also to safely stop runaway vehicles where the driver is incapacitated due to medical issues. A portion of the requested funding will be used for overtime for officers to participate in speed enforcement patrols and proactively address traffic safety concerns.”