Local law enforcement gets state grants for equipment

The Missouri Department of Public Safety is giving more than $1 million in grants to law enforcement agencies to help them purchase essential equipment, and several southwest Missouri organizations are among the recipients.

The state received $1.07 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to give out to law enforcement offices for equipment such as ballistic vests, squad car light bars, sirens, in-car cameras and police radios.

Among the southwest Missouri agencies receiving money are the police departments of:

• Ash Grove, $9,985;

• Everton, $9,987;

• Fair Play, $5,463;

• Fordland, $7,970;

• Kimberling City, $7,687;

• Niangua, $6,525;

• Pleasant Hope, $4,017; and

• Willow Springs, $9,982.

Grants will go to 131 law enforcement agencies, including city police, county sheriffs, public university police departments and state agencies. Grants were limited to less than $10,000 with no local match required.

The money will pay for seven new police vehicles, 238 lights, 66 sirens, 153 ballistic vests, 58 in-car cameras, 139 radios and 129 trauma kits, among other equipment, according to a DPS press release.

"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," Gov. Jay Nixon said in the release.