DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Beach patrol officers in Volusia County could be getting a new tool to handle potentially violent situations that might arise along the coast.
The Volusia County Council is expected to vote on a new contract that would put a rifle in each beach patrol vehicle by 2020.
In the wake of Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas, some beachgoers in Daytona Beach saw the plan as a good idea.
"It would be good to have protection in case something were to happen because crazy stuff does happen around here," Bonnie Watson said.
As sworn law enforcement officers, each beach patrol officer carries a sidearm and stun gun for protection. The new proposal, a suggestion from the Teamsters Local 385 Union, would bring the Volusia County Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue division more in line with other law enforcement agencies.
According to a county spokesperson, the contract will be discussed Thursday at the Volusia County Council meeting.
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