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A request by the Westlake Police Department to lease a Digimation shooting simulator was approved at the Westlake City Council meeting Monday.

The use of the portable simulator will not be a substitute for the minimum eight hours of practice at a shooting range, which is a requirement for police officers. Police Chief Chris Wilrye said the use of the simulator will save in ammunition costs and the overtime pay officers receive for shooting range practice. Officers will train on the simulator during down times on their regular shifts.

Mayor Bob Hardey said using the simulator will cut down on the time officers need to use the shooting range in preparation for proficiency tests, as well as the number of times officers will need to retest.

“This is a tool, since we (WPD) don’t have a range, to let the guys train,” Wilrye said.

Councilman Micheal Bergeron was the single vote in opposition. He questioned whether the simulator was the best use of the training budget so soon after major staff reductions.

He said he was concerned it may not be received well by the public.

The department will lease to own the simulator for five years, the first of which is interest free. Leasing costs will be covered by the department’s training budget, but Wilrye said, depending on revenues, he hopes to have the total $15,000 cost of the equipment paid off within the first year.

After the meeting Wilrye said his department has received several complaints from residents around The National (golf club and community) that children as young as 10 are operating golf carts and ATVs on the neighborhood’s streets.

“We’re about to start issuing citations,” he said.

Beyond the fact the drivers are too young to be operating the vehicles, Wilrye said they are also being careless.

“Heaven forbid we have an accident over there,” he said.

The WPD has also found people riding around the golf course after hours, for which citations will also be issued.

Hardey asked the residents of Westlake to refrain from blowing grass clippings from their yards into the street. He said it clogs the city’s drains, causes more work for municipal employees and creates a hazard for motorcyclists.

In other news, the council approved an agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and other agencies to provide an officer, at Wilrye’s discretion, to work with the Combined Anti-Drug Team, CAT, when needed.

Also, the council approved the appointment of Eddie White to the Westlake Real Estate Board to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mallory Bobo.