Gov. Kay Ivey awarded nearly $96,000 in grants to police departments to improve public safety through equipment purchase in four communities in northwest Alabama, including Russellville, Fayette, Cordova and the Lamar County Sheriff’s office.

“Law enforcement face dangers every day as they keep watch over our neighborhoods and communities,” Ivey said.  “We must ensure they have the equipment they need to both effectively and safely perform their jobs. These grant funds will be beneficial in that effort.”

Those awarded grants are: 

• Russellville – $23,959 to purchase hand-held immobilizing devices (tasers) for each officer in the Russellville Police Department. 
• Fayette – $24,000 to purchase a new patrol vehicle for the Fayette police department. 
• Cordova – $23,941 to purchase additional tools, equipment and technology for the Cordova police department. 
• Lamar County – $24,000 to purchase a new vehicle for the Lamar County Sheriff’s office.

“We appreciate the continued support that we receive from ADECA,” said Russellville police chief, Chris Hargett. “This equipment will allow officers to continue to do their jobs safely and will reduce injuries to officers and suspects. We would like to thank the governor, Sen. Stutts and Rep. Jamie Kiel for their support also.”

Ivey awarded the grants from more than $750,000 in new equipment funding allocated by the U.S. Department of Justice and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

“Special thanks to Russellville police chief Chris Hargett for applying and to Gov. Ivey, ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, Rep. Jamie Kiel and Sen. Larry Stutts for their help securing these grant funds for the Russellville police department,” said Russellville mayor David Grissom.  “These grant funds allow for the purchase of much-needed equipment that we did not have budgeted. We are very thankful.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the awards. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.

“ADECA stands with Gov. Ivey in her appreciation of our law enforcement officers and how much they mean to our communities,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “We are pleased to be a part of the process that helps keep our communities safe.”