In an effort to improve the safety of drivers in southeast Missouri, the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety awarded law enforcement grants for 2014 to 19 agencies within its 25-county area.
The grants can be used to help cover the cost of overtime and equipment for DWI checkpoints, saturation patrols and law enforcement. By partnering with local law enforcement, the Southeast Coalition (which serves the same counties as the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Region 10 and is part of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, based in Jefferson City) hopes to decrease the number of fatal and disabling accidents in southeast Missouri.
Three Texas County police departments were recipients of grants this year. The Houston Police Department received two state-of-the-art Stalker brand dual-directional radar units, valued at $5,199, and the Licking Police Department got one. HPD Chief Jim McNiell and LPD Chief Scott Lindsey each said the new units will replace outdated gear that has been in service for some 15 years.
“They’re as good of radar units as you can get,” McNiell said. “And they get you coming and going.”
“It’s often difficult to find room in the budgets to upgrade equipment,” Lindsey said. “I’m thankful that the coalition provides these grants to local departments to assist in highway safety efforts.”
Among the 19 agencies receiving grants this year, only the Cape Girardeau Police Department got more than the HPD. Last year, the coalition awarded the HPD a Stalker radar unit and a portable breath test kit.
“That means in the past two years we’ve gotten more than $8,000 from the coalition,” McNiell said. “That means a lot to us.”
Grant applications were reviewed by executive members of the coalition, including personnel from law enforcement agencies, healthcare advocates, state government agencies and private businesses. Awards were based on greatest need and the proposed impact on reducing fatalities and injuries on Missouri highways. Verification of a departmental seat belt policy was required and agency involvement with the coalition was also considered.
Summersville Police Chief Josh Ashlock said his department received a $1,500 grant for the purchase of a new radar unit for its patrol car.
•Region 10 agencies awarded grants for 2014
––Bell City Police Department
––Bernie Police Department
––Bloomfield Police Department
––Cape Girardeau Police Department
––Fredericktown Police Department
––Hayti Heights Police Department
––Houston Police Department
––Iron County Sheriff’s Office
––Kennett Police Department
––Licking Police Department
––Miner Police Department
––Mountain Grove Police Department
––Mountain View Police Department
––Perry County Sheriff’s
––Piedmont Police Department
––Pilot Knob Police Department
––Scott County Sheriff’s Office
––Summersville Police Department
––West Plains Police Department