By Bonnie Culverhouse

Thanks to $2,500 in grant money provided by CenterPoint Energy, Minden Police will be able to purchase their own thermal imaging camera.

“We actually lease a thermal imaging camera from the government and have for three or four years,” Police Chief Steve Cropper said. “This grant will allow us to purchase our own, rather than leasing one for $300 annually.”

Cropper said his officers use this type of camera frequently.

“It helps locate somebody that’s hiding in the dark,” he said. “This thing will pick them up.”

The camera is handheld – about the size of a hand – said the chief. However, it has rails so it can be mounted on a helmet.

“It’s lightweight and relatively small,” he said. “The one we are ordering is about 7.4 ounces.

“We really appreciate Centerpoint for extending this to us and helping us with our department,” he continued. “It means a lot.”

---