Drug raid nets new vehicle for forestry service

It cost the city of Grovetown just $8.50 to get a couple of computers, cameras and three four-wheelers.

Now the local office of the state forestry service is getting one of the four-wheelers for even less.

''This will be a big asset for us," Chief Forestry Ranger Steve Abbott said.

Earlier this year, Grovetown seized the computers, cameras and four-wheelers during a drug investigation. Filing the associated paperwork cost $8.50, said A.L. Robinson, chief of the Grovetown Department of Public Safety.

Two of the four-wheelers have already been put to work - the city's recreation department got one, and Robinson's department kept the other. Now the third is being donated to the forestry office.

''They are a lot of help," Robinson said. ''Any time we call, they're here."

Abbott said the four-wheeler will come in handy checking fire breaks, something he now does on foot.

''If that was the only thing I had to do, it wouldn't be so bad," he said. ''But I really don't have the time to walk each break. This will help speed up that process."

And the all-terrain vehicle will make access to some fires easier, he said.

''Most fires in the woods are where a pickup truck just can't get to them," he said.

Before using the four-wheeler, Abbott said, forestry employees will be required to take a safety course.