Monday
Aug302004
Despite Death Dangers, Police Departments are Excited about Getting Tasers
Monday, August 30, 2004 at 02:08PM
One hundred fifty Taser guns remain in storage
while Lakeland police officials tinker with the department policy that
will govern their use. Critics wonder whether the department should use
Tasers, questioning their safety and the potential for using them to
target minorities. And Thursday night's Taser-related death of
Auburndale resident Jason Yeagley seems likely to increase complaints
about use of the guns. Two months ago, the Lakeland Police Department
spent $115,000 on 150 Taser guns. That price included training and
1,200 cartridges. Lakeland Police Chief Roger Boatner said the Tasers
haven't been issued because of delays caused by Hurricane Charley and
also because the department's policy on Taser use hasn't been
finalized. The Taser gun projects a small, red light on the victim and
delivers a 50,000-jolt shock from two electric probes, shutting down
the target's central nervous system for five seconds. The weapon is
effective from a range of 21 feet. Police officers across the country
have praised the Taser gun as a safe and effective means of saving the
lives of both officers and criminal suspects.But plenty of deaths have
been associated with the weapon. An August report by investment
analysis firm Morgan Keegan attributed slumping stock numbers of Taser
International, the manufacturer of the weapon, to the rise in deaths
associated with the Taser gun. [more 
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