Five South Alabama Police Agencies Receive State Equipment Grants
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media
April 27, 2025
ORANGE BEACH, Ala.
Police agencies in lower Alabama are about to benefit from nine grants that Governor Kay Ivey awarded this past week.
The grants totaling more than $376,000 is being directed to towns and cities in six south Alabama counties to purchase equipment specifically for law enforcement.
Baldwin County police departments receiving grants include:
Town of Silverhill — $42,400 for the Silverhill Police Department to purchase body cameras, vehicle cameras and a dedicated server to transfer and store video from these cameras.
City of Daphne — $49,568 to replace old body armor designed to protect police officers from high-velocity rifle fire.
City of Orange Beach — $48,000 to add license plate reader cameras at the entrance to the city to deter crimes from happening and to help the Orange Beach Police Department solve crimes that have occurred.
Mobile County departments receiving grants include:
City of Semmes — $41,429 for automated license plate readers on major roads to allow the Semmes Police Department to more quickly identify suspects in crimes that have occurred and identify those who have outstanding warrants for their arrest.
Town of Mount Vernon — $50,000 to purchase a new police vehicle equipped with modern technology.
Other agencies include:
City of Cottonwood — $24,000 to purchase a drug identification device that allows officers to scan suspected illegal drugs from a distance to prevent potential injuries from contact with hazardous substances such as fentanyl. The city plans to make the device available to other law enforcement agencies in Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties upon request.
City of Opp — $32,824 to replace outdated computers used by police dispatch, patrol, investigators and administration.
Town of Newville — $37,765 to purchase body armor and safety gear, upgraded communication devices, tasers, handcuffs and other miscellaneous equipment including flashlights, duty belts and first-aid kits for the Newville Police Department.
City of Luverne — $50,000 to purchase a new patrol vehicle to add to the Luverne Police Department’s fleet.
“These grants will make communities safer by helping to ensure that law enforcement officers have the tools and resources they need,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend city and town leaders for recognizing the need for a well-equipped police force and working to secure these funds.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants with funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Communities of all sizes deserve to have law enforcement agencies with up-to-date equipment,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of these grants to properly equip these essential first responders.”
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