sandi.olson@gaflnews.com

THOMASVILLE — Coolidge Police Department Chief William Pearce moves quickly when it comes to highway safety grants.

He learned about the grants in February, and as part of his crusade to pay for safety equipment, he immediately applied for and received a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

“When I was named chief of the Coolidge Police Department, I was tasked to put on some public safety programs, such as bicycle safety, and seat belt awareness. Plus, the department was dreadfully short on safety equipment that they should have had,” Pearce said.