Much like other public entities in Iowa, the Perry Police Department has had to change the way they do many things during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police Chief Eric Vaughn says the biggest difference has been their cleaning and sanitizing efforts. “You know, one of the biggest things that we’re trying to do – since we are still working and still interacting with the public and other people – is we’re trying to make sure that our officers stay healthy (and) our dispatchers stay healthy. So we’re taking extra steps to make sure our police department is clean (and) our lobby is clean. Each day our officers are cleaning out their cars (and) disinfecting them at the end of their shifts, to make sure that they’re not passing viruses on from one officer to another as we share cars.”

Vaughn adds, each officer is always equipped with gloves, but they’ve also started to more frequently use masks and goggles when out on patrol or responding to calls. He emphasizes that the lobby is still open for people who stop by needing assistance, though he encourages people to call the station at 515-465-4636 if applicable. Finally, Vaughn points out that officers are still patrolling regularly, and will issue warnings or citations if gatherings exceed the Governor’s requirements on social distancing.

To hear more from Vaughn about this and other Perry Police Department topics, listen to tomorrow’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.