PENDLETON — Several businesses in Pendleton came together to surprise the police department with a much needed gift.
A dozen businesses raised nearly $9,000 to help pay for a generator for the police department.
The generator is something the department needs to ensure they can continue to operate when they lose power, especially during times like when a tornado ripped through the town in May, Chief Marc Farrer says.
"We have five major roadways," Farrer said. "What happens is we get a lot of crashes. Electric poles get ahead, power goes out. And at the police department, it has a major effect because everything is computer-based. It shuts it down, reboots, and causes issues there."
Re/Max owner Julie Schnepp helped lead the effort.
"We understand what risks these men are at," Schnepp said. "And to not have your department in a tornado have power and stuff, we thought never again will that happen."
