Governor Goes In Big for Law Enforcement

As reported by WKRG News, Governor Kay Ivey has announced increased funding to help support Alabama Law Enforcement Agencies.

Earlier this week Gov. Ivey met with Alabama law enforcement leaders in Orange Beach, Al. After listening to various safety concerns expressed by state leaders, Ivey announced that she would grant $1.8 million to help combat those concerns.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice have issued the grant, with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administering the funds.

Some of the primary problem areas the grant is intended to address are focused on motor vehicle safety. Specifically, leaders expressed their need for increased enforcement of impaired driving and seat belt laws, driver license appeals program, and new equipment.

When speaking to the goal and importance of the grant, Ivey said,

“Whether through enforcing traffic safety laws or providing important training to local law enforcement agencies or providing vital statewide case management systems, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s goal is to ensure public safety and save lives. . . I am pleased to support ALEA with these grants that will help them continue important programs and initiatives that keep our residents safe.”

In a press release by her office, the Governor highlighted the following list of awarded grants.

• $800,000 to provide overtime pay throughout the year to conduct checkpoints and enforce speeding, seatbelt, and impaired driving laws during busy travel periods and special enforcement campaigns including “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

• $400,000 to fund impaired driving enforcement in locations shown to have a high number of alcohol violations and crashes, known as “hot spots.”

• $367,567 to continue the Drug Recognition Expert program which provides specialized training to help state and local law enforcement officers differentiate between various drug classifications and mental disorders when interviewing criminal suspects.

• $100,000 to fund the purchase and installation of a hoist system for an ALEA helicopter. Officials say it will help improve operational capabilities for the safety of the ports of Guntersville and Mobile.

• $70,909 to fund a software system for regional drug task forces that allows users to manage various aspects of cases involving drugs and violent crimes.

• $35,000 to continue the Driver License Suspension Appeals program. Funds will help cover travel and related costs for staff from ALEA’s legal unit to represent the state in cases in all 67 counties.

For more information on different measures, Gov. Ivey is taking to improve prosperity in Alabama, read about her fight to fix Alabama’s crumbling infrastructure and education system.