Eddie George showed his appreciation to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department today by bestowing gifts.

George, whose Diversified Investment company has run night clubs and bingo halls, bought the police department the latest flashlights favored by law enforcement — the Pelican 7060 LED flashlight.

“I’m just showing my appreciation to the police department for 35 years of protecting my various businesses,” George said at Northeastern Safety Supply on Roanoke Avenue, which sells the flashlights. “When I called they would come when I needed them — 35 years of it. I just wanted to show my appreciation.”

The light.

The flashlights, Roanoke Rapids Deputy Chief Tommy Hathaway said, were developed by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Sergeant Daniel Jenkins said the advantage to these flashlights is they won’t roll off a table and have double switches. Ridges let users see whether there is light when standing them on the lens. “It’s one of the best flashlights I’ve ever used. The ridges dissipate the heat.”

The Pelican is easily carried on the utility belt so the flashlight is readily available.

The flashlights will be given to the officers on the street, Hathaway said.