Bob Foos
Police Chief Don Melton’s policy is not to allow his officers to have facial hair – unless it’s for a good cause.
For the past several years, Webb City officers have been allowed to grow mustaches and beards if they contribute to a fund that typically is donated to the Webb City Senior Citizens Advisory Board.
Before lunch was served Tuesday at the center, Melton presented a $9,000 check to Lloyd Woollen, treasurer of the advisory board.
Woollen reminded those in attendance of how the City Council and city departments help the center throughout the year. In fact, the city provides the building.
“They not only protect us, they support us,” Woollen said as he thanked Melton.
Accompanying their chief were officers Jaden Galardo, Gerardo Lizarraga and Keith Meyer.
“Thank you for growing facial hair,” April Cloyd, center manager, told them.
Melton said he’s proud of his officers for donating a portion of their pay, and he noted that even those not growing facial hair, including the female officers, are contributing.
The check amount is usually around $5,000. It’s larger this year because it was discovered that some donations had been growing in another account. That account was included this year and won’t be kept separate in the future.
Cloyd said the advisory board has not decided how to spend the $9,000. It was also one of the recipients of money raised earlier this year by city employees with the annual Badges & Burgers fundraiser.
