Gov. Ivey awards more than $1 million in grants to purchase equipment for 26 law enforcement agencies

MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded about $1.14 million in grants to bolster law enforcement efforts in five counties and 21 municipalities throughout the state.

The funds will allow police and sheriffs’ departments to purchase new equipment, either to address a specific public safety challenge or to replace outdated or deteriorating supplies.

“Many smaller police and sheriffs’ departments perform their sworn duties to protect and serve while dealing with tight budgets and aging equipment,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am proud of the work that our men and women in law enforcement do each day, and I am pleased that these grants will help many local law enforcement agencies address critical needs, increasing public safety and the safety of the officers.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of our state’s law enforcement with these grants that help ensure public safety officers are well-equipped,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

The counties and municipalities receiving funds are listed below by region.

NORTH ALABAMA

Boaz – $50,000 to replace police radios that are more than 10 years old and reaching the end of their service life.

Cedar Bluff – $50,000 to purchase new patrol vehicles, mobile computers and dashboard cameras.

Fultondale – $41,400 to replace and upgrade the mobile computers in the police department’s patrol vehicles. The update will ensure that the technology is compatible with the latest operating systems and software used in law enforcement.

Jasper – $48,309 for 23 Tasers along with cartridges and training materials.

Morgan County Commission – $36,100 for a handheld device to detect and identify narcotics.

Oneonta – $50,000 to help replenish an aging patrol vehicle fleet, decreasing overall maintenance costs and potential downtime.

Scottsboro – $49,660 for protective gear including ballistic helmets and body armor.

Town Creek – $50,000 to replace an aging police vehicle that has become too costly to maintain.

Valley Head – $48,286 to purchase a new patrol vehicle for the police department.

CENTRAL ALABAMA

Bibb County – $49,957 to purchase Tasers and new duty weapons for officers in the sheriff’s department.

Carrollton – $50,000 to purchase a patrol vehicle that is safer and more technologically advanced than the police department’s current vehicles.

Dadeville – $48,815 to purchase new weapons, cameras and computers for the police department.

Helena – $41,766 for a handheld narcotics analyzer that will allow officers to quickly identify suspected controlled substances without having to open packaging or risk exposure.

Jemison – $46,618 to purchase new laptop computers for patrol vehicles.

Munford – $49,850 to fund the replacement of malfunctioning radios, Tasers for each officer, body armor for one new and one reserve officer, a new laptop, defibrillators and an upgraded lighting system for better roadside visibility.

Perry County Commission – $44,170 to purchase a new law enforcement vehicle for the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.

SOUTH ALABAMA

Abbeville – $48,800 for portable radar speed signs, evidence lockers and a four-wheel off-road vehicle to enable rapid response in remote areas.

Barbour County Commission – $50,000 for new computers and printers for both patrol vehicles and office personnel.

Clayton – $50,000 to purchase and equip a new Ford F-150 patrol vehicle. The vehicle will be equipped with emergency lighting, communications and safety equipment.

Dauphin Island – $32,300 for a system that will allow the Dauphin Island Police Department to book suspects on-site rather than traveling 40 minutes to the Mobile Metro County Jail. The Data works Live Scan system will give officers the ability to collect and store fingerprints, mugshots and information about suspects.

Eufaula – $47,334 to purchase new Tasers for police officers. The Tasers currently being used have expired batteries that cannot be replaced.

New Brockton – $38,386 to replace the police department’s computer systems, purchase new handguns and rifles and upgrade its portable radios.

Pike County Commission – $48,252 for 20 body armor vests and specialized forced entry tools for the Pike County Special Response Team.

Samson – $50,000 to purchase eight portable radios, five laptops for vehicles, a document scanner, four radar devices and four Tasers.

Satsuma – $26,352 to outfit 18 officers with soft body armor, first-aid kits and supplies to control bleeding.

Slocomb – $50,000 to purchase new Tasers to replace units that are obsolete and unsupported.

ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.