MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $150,000 grant to improve public safety in DeKalb County.
The grant will enable the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department to purchase equipment to establish a special response team. The team, made up of specially trained and equipped deputies, will respond in potentially violent situations in which someone is in a high-risk situation that could result in injury or death.
“Every day, law enforcement officers throughout Alabama put themselves in harm’s way,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased to award this grant knowing that this equipment will help task force officers perform their duties safely as they work to save the lives of those put in harm’s way.”
Funds will be used to purchase special technology and equipment, including helmets and shields, that can protect officers when they are placed in volatile situation including hostage situations or other instances where people’s lives are in jeopardy.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in supporting this program that will greatly increase the odds of positive outcomes for everyone involved in dangerous situations,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
