BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry City Council had a rare moment during its April 7 meeting: a tied vote. 

The issue was the approval of a $7,500 motorcycle for the Bonners Ferry Police Department. 

With council members Brion Poston and Ron Smith voting in favor and Adam Arthur and Valerie Thompson voting against, Mayor Rick Alonzo was left to break the tie. 

Alonzo voted in favor, allowing the police department to proceed with the purchase, provided questions about officer safety and insurance are answered. 

The two council members voting no did not appear to be opposed to the purchase itself. Thompson said she would have preferred holding a special meeting later rather than approving the purchase during the April 7 meeting.   

The vehicle in question is a 2015 BMW motorcycle currently being held for the Bonners Ferry Police Department by Idaho State Police, according to Police Chief Willie Cowell. He said other parties were also interested in purchasing it. 

Cowell said one officer is already qualified to ride the motorcycle in an enforcement capacity, while another officer is interested in receiving certification. It would be the department’s only motorcycle. 

Cowell said at the meeting that the purchase is important, particularly during the summer when traffic increases. 

“It’s gotten so bad that we might get one stop for every 10 violations we see,” Cowell said. “That’s not an exaggeration. Traffic is so heavy.” 

He said the motorcycle would increase officer visibility and enforcement capacity.

“It’s going to allow us extra visibility in the public and increased enforcement actions,” Cowell said. 

Cowell acknowledged there are risks for officers riding motorcycles but said policing itself involves risk.