WASHINGTON (WTVA) -- Sixteen law enforcement agencies in Mississippi have been approved for grants to upgrade equipment and improve public safety.
The Tupelo Police Department will receive $14,995 to purchase laptops, tasers, holsters, and bulletproof vests.
The Grenada County Sheriff's Department will receive $11,923 for the purchase of communications equipment.
The largest grant, $1.9 million, is for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Planning for projects to help reduce drug-related and violent crime in the state.
The grants were provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Other agencies receiving grants include:
City of Vicksburg/Warren County - $32,428 to purchase law enforcement equipment to improve officer and community safety
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians - $24,411 to replace body armor and tasers
City of Hattiesburg/Forrest County - $24,051 to purchase motion tablets and other equipment for Hattiesburg officers to increase efficiency in uploading and accessing data, and to update Forrest County Sheriff's Department individual officer equipment for correctional officers
Jackson County - $21,379 to upgrade equipment for maritime vessels used to patrol ports and waterways
City of Laurel - $17,370 to purchase law enforcement equipment and supplies
City of Greenwood - $17,268 to purchase updated narrow-band mobile and portable radios, as well as reflective vests for officers
City of Pascagoula - $13,208 to purchase handheld radios to enhance officer communication
Jones County - $12,488 to purchase equipment for the Patrol Division and SWAT
City of Indianola - $11,358 to purchase in-car video equipment for patrol vehicles
City of Moss Point - $11,152 to purchase law enforcement equipment, including portable radios
Panola County - $10,587 to purchase radios and related items to improve investigations and officer safety
Marshall County - $10,278 to support law enforcement safety training
Rankin County - $10,278 to purchase supplies for police vehicles and crime scene equipment
