Dec. 28—The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office this week awarded all of the state’s 77 counties with grant funding through a new program created by the state Legislature this year to enhance law enforcement services.
House Bill 2914 created the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program during this year’s legislative session and appropriated $18 million to the fund to bolster law enforcement services.
Counties were invited earlier this year to apply for grants from $150,000 to $300,000, depending on their total tangible property valuation.
Grant awards were based on assessed total tangible property valuation of the county, and will be awarded to counties in three tiers in the following amounts:
$150,000 for the 26 counties having the lowest gross assessed total tangible property valuation.
$250,000 for 26 counties ranked higher than the counties described in tier one but lower than the counties described in tier three.
$300,000 for the 25 counties having the highest gross assessed total tangible property valuation.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the funds will positively impact all areas of the state.
“These grants will help strengthen public safety for all Oklahomans,” Drummond said in a release announcing the funding. “I appreciate the work of the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association and sheriff offices to ensure that every county has extra support this year.”
According to the AG’s Office, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office received a $300,000 grant.
Pittsburg County interim Sheriff Frankie McClendon previously told the News-Capital the grant money is earmarked for several things.
McClendon said his department will use the grant money to replace consoles in the department’s communications department, software, and patrol vehicles.
“We are in dire need of that,” McClendon said about the consoles for the dispatchers.
According to the AG’s Office, Coal, Latimer, Pushmataha, and McIntosh Counties will receive $150,000 with Hughes County receiving $250,000.
According to the AG’s Office, grants can be used for department operations including training, technology, equipment, capital improvements and more.