Adams Co. to hold fundraiser for firing range
Update: The helicopter rides have been cancelled as the helicopter for the event has been called to Florida for Zika virus spraying, according to Commissioner Randy Phiel.
Original story:
Where can you find a bomb robot demonstration, helicopter rides and fireworks?
A fundraiser on Sept. 17 has it all covered.
"Adams County Blue Needs You," a kickoff event to raise money for an Adams County law enforcement firearms training range, will take place that Saturday afternoon at Battlefield Harley-Davidson in Gettysburg.
The affair will also include music, a bomb tech suit display, a K-9 bomb demonstration, a vehicle display and a chicken barbecue dinner.
The fundraising goal for the project is $75,000, Adams County Commissioner Randy Phiel said. The site is planned for a plot of land east of the Adams County Emergency Services Center.
"We're making it happen without using taxpayer money," Phiel said.
Instead, the nonprofit Adams County Law Enforcement Association, in a public-private partnership with the county, will accept financial donations and in-kind labor for the project, Phiel said.
"We’re hitting all the different levels of our community to gain support," Phiel stated.
Names of those who donate more than $300 will be permanently displayed on the range's planned memorial flag plaza, Phiel said.
All law enforcement in Adams County, from municipal officers to federal security, will be eligible to use the range for law enforcement qualification and training.
Most training ranges in the county are "point and shoot," Phiel said. The proposal for the new range features different scenarios, like shoot-don't-shoot, vehicle barricades and vehicle ambushes.
With 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Phiel said he understands the importance of this need.
"What's going on in our nation today magnifies the need for this type of training," he said.
Phiel said he has received a favorable response from both law enforcement and county residents, and he hopes that will correlate to support for the project.
"This is a project that most people very easily see the value in our community," he said.
If you go
What: Adams County Blue Needs You: Law enforcement firearms training range capital kickoff
When: 1 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 17
Where: Battlefield Harley-Davidson on 21 Calvary Field Rd. in Gettysburg
Cost: Free to attend. $10 for chicken barbecue dinner. Additional fees for helicopter rides.