Lyon County commissioners are expected to approve the purchase of a portable alternate light source forensic light during today’s action session. Commissioners learned of the request during Wednesday’s Lyon County commission meeting.
The light can help investigators spot biological fluids that aren’t visible to the human eye and also can help investigators find fingerprints. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has a unit now, but it’s not portable and has to be hooked up to a power source.
“That one we have is a large unit and doesn’t lend itself to transport,” said Richard Old, Lyon County undersheriff.
The new unit the department wants to purchase is the size of a flashlight lantern and runs on battery power, Old said.
“The electronics are much smaller now,” he said.
The total purchase price is a little more than $6,000, which would be paid through two different funds.
Old also requested authorization to spend up to $143,500 from the multi-year fund to purchase and replace 10 patrol cars from the fleet and exchange or buy new equipment for each car. The item was placed on the agenda for further discussion today.
Also during Wednesday’s meeting:
• Commissioners discussed with Marc Goodman to review a $10,000 donation to the Crime Stoppers program paid from the diversion fund. Crime Stoppers rely on outside funding to continue to operate. The program provides a crime-reporting telephone number that allows callers to remain anonymous.
• Commissioners discussed a memorandum of understanding relating to county libraries.