FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Cities of Florence and Ludlow, Ky., have been awarded two grants in the total amount of $22,622 for weapons and tasers.
Florence received $6,412 and Ludlow received $16,210 from the state Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) to purchase body armor, weapons, and taser cartridges, Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday.
Under the LEPP, administered by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS), appropriate agencies can seek financial help for certain defensive items essential in the course of their duties.
"These grants have funded the updating of tools used by local police departments across the state," said state Sen. John Schickel. "The Florence Department does a fantastic job and will greatly benefit from this new equipment."
In conjunction with the Kentucky State Police (KSP), KOHS derives income from sales of confiscated weapons. KSP conducts periodic auctions – only to federally licensed firearms dealers – which generate dollars for the LEPP initiative.
"The City of Ludlow will receive this funding at a crucial time," said state Sen. Jack Westwood. "We must continue to support Northern Kentucky law enforcement with grants like these to ensure our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to maintain the good quality of life we have in our neighborhoods."
The 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.
"Statewide appeals for financial support always exceed resources," Thomas L. Preston, KOHS executive director, explained, "but we make every effort to respond with a priority focus on law enforcement safety."
LEPP support goes to police agencies of cities, counties, charter counties, unified counties, urban-counties and consolidated local governments, sheriff’s departments and public university police departments.
