SOUTHWICK – Chief of Police Kevin Bishop met with the Select Board on Monday night to discuss potential town properties that could be used towards firearm training for full time, reserve, part-time, and new officers of the Southwick Police Department.
In the past, the Southwick Police Department has used the facility at the West Springfield Police Department, the Agawam Revolver Club, and most recently at the Westfield Sportsmen’s Club. Due to municipalities wanting to keep their training within their own departments, Southwick Police have been seeking any town properties that could be used for their training.
Chief of Police Kevin Bishop met with the Select Board to discuss a potential training spot in town. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
With the assistance of Lt. Robert Landis and officer Greg Burt, who teach the firearm training classes, Bishop informed the Select Board that they found a town-owned property on Route 10 and 202, near the Granby town line.
Bishop wouldn’t disclose exactly where the town property is as it’s still in the preliminary stages. He did mention that he’s been speaking with the abutters of the town property. In order for the Southwick Police to get to the town property, they would have to enter through the abutter’s property. Bishop noted that the abutters said they would be okay with the police using their property as a right of way.
Burt and Landis found this property by searching the town’s mapping database. According to state law, an individual shooting a firearm can’t be shot within 500 feet of someone’s dwelling. Bishop confirmed that the town property they are considering is certainly farther than 500 feet from the abutters or the street.
“I’m just opening up the discussion to see if it’s feasible,” Bishop informed the Select Board.
Town of Southwick Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart told Bishop that he’d like him to meet with the zoning enforcement officer along with a number of other town officials to do a walk through of the property. A written agreement will also be created for the abutters of the town property, in order for them to officially agree to the Southwick Police entering their property to get through.
Bishop also added that the training won’t be on a daily basis and will be in the spring, summer, and fall.
