MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $95,805 to help four police departments in northeast Alabama purchase updated equipment.
“Our law enforcement officers should have access to updated equipment when they are protecting and serving the public,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased to provide these funds for equipment that will assist officers as they help make these communities safer.”
The town of Skyline is using $23,992 in funds to purchase laptops and docking stations, defibrillators, radar units, in-car printers, portable radios, fingerprint collection kits, digital cameras, tourniquets and puncture-resistant gloves for the Skyline Police Department.
A $24,000 grant to the city of Athens will help the Police Department purchase a new portable drug identification kit. With this new scanner, narcotics and dangerous substances can be identified by firing a laser through clear containers without the need to open them, which would risk lung and skin exposure to dangerous substances.
The town of Woodville is using $23,813 in funds to purchase a new patrol vehicle along with new safety equipment to provide increased police protection and faster service to residents. The old police vehicle has become unreliable and is past its useful life, according to town officials.
With $24,000 in grant funds, the town of Owens Crossroads will purchase six in-car video cameras. This equipment will be used to help the police department better protect the public and provide additional evidence for investigations.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA manages a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation and water resources management.
“ADECA supports Gov. Ivey’s efforts to equip these officers who work diligently every day to protect their communities,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “These grants will assist each department in their efforts to serve and protect their communities.”
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley