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JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- The Missouri Department of Public Safety announced that law enforcement agencies across Missouri will share more than $1 million in grants to obtain essential law enforcement equipment to increase officer and public safety.  Items that will be purchased with the funding, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, include ballistic vests, squad car lightbars, sirens, in-car cameras and police radios. 

“Protecting our hard-working law enforcement officers across Missouri should be one of our top priorities,” said Gov. Jay Nixon.  “This money will pay for more than 150 bulletproof vests, assist in the purchase of seven police vehicles, 139 police radios and other important equipment for our men and women of law enforcement.  This creative use of Recovery Act funds will spread out the assistance to 131 different departments, making a real difference for fighting crime and making our streets safer around the state.”

In total, $1,065,285 in federal Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG/JAG) are being awarded to 131 law enforcement agencies, including city police, county sheriffs, public university police departments and state law enforcement agencies.  Grant awards are limited to $9,999.99 with no requirement for a local match.  However, grant recipients may choose to pay for equipment expenses above $9,999.99. 

The funding will help pay for a total of:

• 7 Vehicles 
• 238 Lightbars/Lights 
• 66 Sirens/Light Boxes 
• 200 Flashlights 
• 153 Ballistic Vests 
• 459 Reflective Vests/Protective Clothing (cut-resistant gloves, raincoats, parkas) 
• 58 In-Car Cameras 
• 139 Rradios 
• 21 Car Cages/Partitions 
• 129 Trauma Kits 
• 476 Miscellaneous Items (handcuffs, shackles, etc.)   

Local Law Enforcement Recipients:

     Audrain County: 14 Ballistic Vests
     City of Centralia: 1 Radio/Repeater
     City of Crocker: 7 Ballistic Vests
     Cole County: 4 Lightbars/Lights, 5 Flashlights, 5 Ballistic Vests
     City of Eldon: 2 In-Car Cameras
     Dept. of Natural Resources: 8 Lightbars/Lights
     Div. of Fire Safety: 40 Lightbars/Lights, 80 Flashlights
     State Hwy. Patrol: 210 Protective Clothing
     City of Stover: 3 Radios/Repeaters
     City of Sturgeon: 4 Radios/Repeaters
     City of Hermann: 6 Lightbars/Lights, 3 Siren Box
     Lincoln University: 15 Ballistic Vests
     City of Niangua: 1 In-Car Camera, 3 Radios/Repeaters