The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department received a nearly $24,000 grant from the governor this week.

Gov. Kay Ivey awarded nearly $144,000 in grants to assist six law enforcement agencies in southwest Alabama to purchase equipment and improve public safety in their jurisdictions.

“Every day police and deputies in Alabama put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities,” Ivey said. “These grants will enable law enforcement agencies in southwest Alabama to obtain the proper equipment they need to perform their duties.”

The Atmore Police Department also received $24,000.

The awarded agencies can purchase law enforcement-related equipment they deem most essetntial to serve the public and do their jobs effectively and safely.

Common items purchased with the grands include patrol cars, computers, radios and bullet-proof vests.

The funding is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and provided from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department.

For full story, see Wednesday’s print edition.