Shown are Winfield Mayor Randy Price (left) and Northwest Gas General Manager Heath Reed in front of the new Pilot Travel Center in Winfield. Due to ongoing construction in the area, a six-inch high-pressure gas main line will need to be relocated. The Northwest Gas Board of Directors have agreed to help offset the cost of moving the line for the City of Winfield.
HAMILTON — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has awarded nearly $297,000 to improve public safety in north Alabama, including $50,000 to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office “to purchase stun guns aimed at de-escalating dangerous situations and preventing injuries to both suspects and deputies.”
In a press release, the governor noted, “The grants will allow law enforcement offices in six Alabama municipalities and one county to purchase equipment to better serve their communities.”
The municipalities included Arley, Ashland, Jacksonville, Odenville, Sylacauga and Sylvania.
Besides stun guns, which two other recipients also received funds for, listed items included upgrading communications systems, purchasing firearms, acquiring portable
radios and in-car computers, obtaining equipment to accurately reconstruct vehicle crash scenes and purchasing firearms, bullet-proof vests and radios.
“Our law enforcement officers often put their lives on the line to protect and serve residents in their jurisdictions,” Ivey said. “These grants will provide police officers and sheriff’s deputies with the tools they need to carry out their duties more safely and efficiently.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Through these grants, law enforcement officers can direct resources to the needs they deem most essential for enhancing public safety,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in this important program that provides needed equipment to these departments.”
Sheriff appreciates funds
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams said he was pleased to learn his department was awarded the grant monies to be used to replace some of their existing tasers (stun guns).
“Some of our tasers are approximately five years old, but we have been able to purchase some newer ones the last couple of years,” he said.
“These tasers are used for all of our deputies and our corrections officers. With the amount of money received, we will also be able to purchase extra batteries and cartridges, which we will need.
“I would like to thank the governor’s office for the opportunity to apply for these extra monies.”
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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