SILVERHILL, Alabama — A plea for help with funding and donations for the Silverhill Police Department has already received an overwhelming response.

“We’re getting people every day walking in the door with a check,” said Police Chief Kevin Brock, following a recent letter sent to residents.

The letter, addressed to “sponsors and donors,” Brock thanked the mayor and council, along with departments from throughout the state for their support.

“We have had such an outpouring of support from the community and the state as a whole,” Brock states in the letter. “It warms our hearts to know that you care and feel blessed to be a part of our great community and state…. But we are still in need.”

Currently, the letter states, additional funding will help the department in the purchase of:

• In-car radios.

• In-car camera systems.

• Rifles.

• New pistols.

• Vests.

Most of the donations have been monetary, but not all.

At its meeting April 3 the Silverhill Town Council voted to surplus a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL, which was a gift to the police department. According to nadaguides.com, new the vehicle brought more than $90,000. Current average retail value for that model is just under $8,000.

The council voted unanimously April 3 to surplus the vehicle. Mayor Pro Tem Jared Lyles presided over the meeting. Mayor Tim Wilson was not present because of sickness, according to the meeting’s agenda.

The department is also selling raffle tickets as a fundraiser, Brock said, and is currently in the process of acquiring and training a canine officer.

Donations can be sent to the Silverhill Police Department at P.O. Box 309, Silverhill, AL 36576 or call 251-945-5200 for more information.

In other business, the council voted to table amendments to the town’s ordinance concerning the town’s Volunteer Fire Department, after fire department officials brought changes to the ordinance for consideration before the council.

Concerns were brought before the council at a previous meeting over the town’s requirement that volunteer firefighters living within the town limits and fire jurisdiction.

The proposed ordinance states that if the fire department consists of less than 10 active members, the chief may appoint a member to the department who does not live within the town’s fire jurisdiction.

Josh Rice continues to act as interim fire chief for the department following the announcement in January that longtime chief Gary Patrick had placed himself on voluntary leave.

The council also voted April 3 to write off bad debts for nonpayment of three utility bills and a garbage bill for a total amount of $588.51. Following an inquiry by council member Wayne Gruenloh, Lyles stated that the town generally writes off bad debts about once a year.

Bert Jones was also sworn in at the April 3 meeting, replacing Steve Williams on the Place 2 council seat. Jones served two terms in the Place 1 seat which is now held by Tonie Norden. It was announced March 6 that Williams was resigning his seat with Wilson stating that there was a conflict with his serving on the council and as the town’s building inspector. Jones was appointed to fill the seat March 20.