MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey has awarded just over $400,000 in grants for law enforcement training equipment and drug treatment resources in nine counties.
The grants are being awarded through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, which provides funding for a wide range of endeavors including law enforcement training, technology improvement, drug treatment programs and many other components of the justice system.
“Our law enforcement officers work around the clock to protect and serve our communities, and these grants will fund projects that will make conditions safer for everyone involved in law enforcement encounters, including the officers themselves,” Gov. Ivey said. “In addition, enhanced drug treatment will help offenders turn their lives around and give them a chance at leading productive and fulfilling lives. I commend everyone involved in bringing these projects to fruition.”
Below are the grant recipients, grant amounts and the projects being funded.
City of Southside, $91,850. The city will use the grant for the police department’s new Virtual Reality Response Training project. Officers will take part in immersive and interactive training depicting a variety of response scenarios, including traffic stops, dealing with distressed people and handling active armed offenders.
Limestone County Commission, $97,552. The county will use the funds from this grant to purchase two narcotics scanners that are able to identify different types of drugs with a single test. The county will also obtain virtual reality technology for law enforcement training on de-escalating volatile situations.
City of Muscle Shoals, $72,500. The Muscle Shoals Police Department will use this grant to purchase virtual reality training equipment to improve responses in crisis intervention situations.
RCA Foundation, $149,777. The foundation will use the funds to provide treatment to end drug additions for people who are involved in the criminal justice system in Autauga, Butler, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Elmore and Lowndes County. The treatment program is for people who have pleaded guilty in drug courts or who are being monitored through a court referral program.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants with funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Technological advancements have made it possible to safely recreate actual scenarios law enforcement officers might encounter while serving their communities,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I join Gov. Ivey in support of the equipment, training and resources these grants will provide.”
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
Media Release/ADECA