State funding bolsters police firearm training grounds

FROM TIMES SHAMROCK REPORTS
02/08/2008

TAMAQUA - State Rep. David Argall, R-124, fired several rounds of bullets into a target Thursday at the firearm qualifying range at the Carbon/Schuylkill Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 13 Police Training Grounds at Owl Creek, Tamaqua.
But the legislator was not cross-training for a career in law enforcement.

Argall's session on the firing range was part of his visit to announce the awarding of a $5,000 grant through the State Department of Community and Economic Development's Aid to Local Government program, which the FOP will use to make improvements to the police training facility.

The Carbon/Schuylkill FOP Lodge 13 acquired the 44-acre Owl Creek property in the 1960s and recently began a series of initiatives to develop the firearm qualifying range.

Previous grant funds that were awarded to the FOP with assistance from state Sen. James J. Rhoades, R-29, were utilized to increase the height and depth of the earthen sidewall and backdrop at the firing range to increase safety.

The previous award was used to construct a cinderblock storage shed for training equipment and to install concrete pylons that mark yardage from the targets. The new funds will be used to equip the range with electricity, install gravel on the range floor and other improvements.

Planned improvements include construction of a second story on the storage shed, installation of an electronic target system with remote-controlled targets, and construction of a covered pavilion on the range's 100-yard line where outdoor classroom instruction can take place.

In Schuylkill County, member police departments of the Carbon/Schuylkill FOP Lodge 13 include: Blythe Township, Coaldale, Kline Township, Mechanicsville, McAdoo, Palo Alto, Port Carbon, Rush Township, Schuylkill Township, Tamaqua, Walker Township and West Penn Township.

In Carbon County, members include East Penn Township, Franklin Township, Jim Thorpe, Kidder Township, Lansford, Lehighton, Mahoning Township, Nesquehoning, Summit Hill and the Carbon County Deputy Sheriffs.

The grant was awarded to the Borough of Tamaqua, which allocates the funds to the FOP.

©The REPUBLICAN & Herald 2008