Joe Holleman
Political correspondent/columnist
Budzinski
Seems like a clear-cut case of funding the police in the Metro East, as five police departments apprehended almost $98,000 to improve their equipment
U.S Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, announced the awards Friday, with the money coming from a U.S. Department of Justice grant.
About $53,000 will go to the Alton, Granite City and Madison municipal departments to upgrade protective equipment and purchase a specialized vehicle for transporting the homeless to shelters, mental health and drug abuse treatment centers.
“This type of equipment is vital for our officers as it helps protect them, reduces their risk of injury, and potentially save lives,” Alton Mayor David Goins said in a statement.
About $45,000 is headed to the Belleville city and St. Clair County departments, to be used to buy upgraded equipment and technology for patrol cars.
