ETOWAH COUNTY— The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office has announced it has received a grant funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and administered in Alabama by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), providing new equipment to support impaired driving enforcement.

Through the grant, the agency was awarded 20 preliminary breath test devices, commonly known as breathalyzers. Each unit is valued at approximately $600, bringing the total value of the equipment to roughly $12,000.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the new devices will assist deputies in identifying and removing impaired drivers from roadways throughout Etowah County, enhancing traffic safety enforcement efforts.

Officials credited Captain Anthony Davis for securing the grant, noting his efforts helped obtain the equipment without using local taxpayer funds. The department said the award strengthens its ability to carry out DUI enforcement operations and improve overall public safety.

The Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation to both NHTSA and ADECA for supporting local law enforcement agencies through grant funding, and thanked Captain Davis for his work in pursuing the award.