(Fayetteville, N.C. July 20, 2009) – The Fayetteville Police Department has been awarded over $708,000 in stimulus funding that will pay for additional personnel and equipment. The funds are coming from the Justice Assistance Grant Program and are being distributed to 18 Police Department programs.

Covered in the stimulus aid are first-year salaries for two forensic technicians and two crime prevention specialists. Associated expenses for the positions are also paid for and they include: Two vans for forensics and two vehicles for the crime prevention specialists.

Other equipment to be purchased with stimulus funding is as follows:
• Photolab equipment
• Half of the purchase of a shoot-tank for ballistics
• Collision avoidance training for teen driver program
• Purchasing a hut to house a firearm simulator
• Bicycles and helmets
• Laptops
• Digital 3D laser scene scanner
• RTV vehicle to patrol Cape Fear River Trail
• Elliptical equipment for the training center
• Tactical robot for emergency response and crisis negotiation team
• Various training initiatives.

“We appreciate the opportunity to utilize these funds in implementing several of the initiatives outlined in our Community Wellness Plan,” Police Chief Tom Bergamine said.

The funds bring the City’s stimulus award total to over $5 million.

For more information on the Police Department award, contact Trish Council at 433-1423.

To get more information on the Community Wellness Plan, please visit the Police Department’s website at www.bethebadge.com. 

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