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Grant money (September 1, 2012) |
LANCASTER — The city of Lancaster has been awarded $12,250 from the state Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) to purchase body armor vests and patrol rifles for its police department, Gov. Steve Beshear announced Friday.
Under LEPP, administered by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, appropriate agencies can seek financial help for certain defensive items essential in the course of their duties.
“Not only do LEPP grants help protect our law enforcement officers, they also increase community and citizen safety,” Beshear said. “I’m proud that we have these funds available to benefit all Kentuckians.”
In conjunction with the Kentucky State Police, KOHS derives income from sales of confiscated weapons. KSP conducts periodic auctions to federally licensed firearms dealers which generate dollars for the LEPP initiative. KOHS then assesses needs and, after prioritization, provides whatever funds are available in the acquisition of body armor, weapons, ammunition and electronic or muscular disruption technical devices often referred to as Tasers.
“Many city and country governments as well as public universities face limited funding in trying to meet the increasing costs and requirements for their law enforcement officers,” said KOHS Executive Director Gene Kiser. “We try to help, in some measure, with these grants to provide basic protective equipment.”
