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PUTNAM NEWS
Hurricane council approves prevention resource officer position
HURRICANE, W.Va. -- A Hurricane police officer will focus on Hurricane High and Middle schools after city council approved the prevention resource officer position.
Jason Moore will fill the position and will focus on deterring drug use among school students. The position, which is based at the high school, received funding through the state, city and Putnam Board of Education for five years.
Police Chief Mike Mullins explained that the first year of service is to be funded primarily through state grant money with the remaining four years to see shared financial support from the city and the board.
This will create a vacancy within the Hurricane Police Department which is expected to be filled as soon as possible.
Moore, currently heading Hurricane's K-9 program, will continue to utilize the city's two dogs, one trained in bomb detection and the other trained in drug detection, as part of his duties in the schools. In years past, drugs have been discovered by the K-9 unit at both Hurricane Middle and High schools, Mullins said.
Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards said new B&O taxes anticipated as part of city business growth will help cover the costs of the officer and a new patrol car.
Mullins sees the position as an asset.
"I appreciate the council's vote for the security of the kids and hopefully we can better deter drug use in the schools thanks to this position being approved," Mullins said.
Hurricane City Council approved the measure 5-1, with the opposing vote coming from Councilwoman Lana Call.
