Sen. Richard Shelby, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, recently announced the Department of Justice will award a total of $815,021 to law enforcement agencies in four Alabama counties.

These grants are awarded through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

The program provides funding for law enforcement agencies to implement programs that prevent and control crime.

Shelby was instrumental in securing this funding.

“In many of my 67 county visits each year, district attorneys and law enforcement officers stressed the importance of the Byrne grants,” said Shelby. “This underscores my strong belief that the individuals serving on the front lines of our communities each day know best what their departments need to successfully do their jobs. Providing funds directly to our law enforcement officers allows them to control crime based on their own established priorities and is one of the best ways we can support our crime fighters.”

Of the $815,021 awarded, the following counties and cities will receive funding:

Chilton County’s Sheriff’s Office will receive $52,199 to purchase a new vehicle to enhance their capability of conducting undercover and surveillance operations to investigate and arrest criminal offenders.