Hinckley police to get new water and ice rescue devices

HINCKLEY TWP. — Hinckley police will soon be able to assist if there is a water or ice rescue in the township. The Hinckley trustees approved the purchase of eight throwable water and ice rescue devices from ResQ Disc for $1,152 during its meeting Tuesday. Police Chief Mike Schroll said the police department has never had any kind of water rescue devices in its vehicles before, and police are usually the first on the scene when there is an emergency. "If it was any sort of water or ice rescue, unless we have a good, confident swimmer willing to jump in, there's nothing we can do," he said. "By ordering these, there'll be one in each vehicle. God forbid if we have to save a life, we'll be able to do it now." The circular devices have a rope length of more than 50 feet and are 12 inches in diameter. Schroll said they are made out of hard plastic, and they have been tested by the United States Coast Guard to withstand up to 20 knots, so the wind does not deflect them. "It stores real well," he said. "We're getting it with the protective cover, so that it doesn't get all beat up in the trunk of the cruiser. On their website, they have many law enforcement agencies around the country using it." Also during Tuesday's meeting, Schroll reminded the public that the township's prescription drug disposal box is now inside the police department at 1410 Ridge Road instead of outside it. The box is one of 12 throughout the county that aim to give residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted medication throughout the year. "Last year, when the parking lot concrete was redone, that had to be moved," he said. "The legs were rotted from salt, so we had it replaced, and it is now permanently in the police department lobby. People have thought that it was no longer available; it is still available." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.