Governor Brian Kemp announced grant awards totaling more than $83 million for 118 qualified projects to improve community-level public safety measures and address law enforcement staffing challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds awarded are to be used to supplement law enforcement staffing, support violent crime reduction or community violence intervention programming, and invest in technology and equipment to address and respond to the rise in community violence resulting from the pandemic.
Walker County Sheriff’s Office was awarded $558,697.70 to invest in new equipment and technology that improves safety and modernizes digital intelligence.
Representative Mike Cameron, representative of Georgia’s District 1, commended Walker County Sheriff’s Office, saying, ” Congratulations to Sheriff Steve Wilson and the Walker Sheriff’s Department for receiving a grant from the State of Georgia. The grant will be used to purchase some of the latest law enforcement technology including FLOCK Cameras, a body and thermal scanning system, a multi-unit two-way radio system and funds for modernizing its in-house intelligence systems. The Walker County Sheriff’s Department patrols 465 square miles of Walker County including many rural and mountainous areas plus urban areas. Walker County borders both Tennessee and Georgia.
“I would like to thank Governor Kemp and his staff for their assistance in the awarding of this grant,” said Rep. Cameron. “Sheriff Wilson and the WCSD officers make our county incredibly proud, and they are deserving of this grant award. The addition of the technology purchased through this grant will greatly enhance the department’s ability to keep the citizens of Walker County safe.”
This grant funding will go toward purchasing FLOCK Cameras, which will be placed throughout the county in the highest 911 call areas. This will also provide funds for a body and thermal scanner system and a multi-unit portable two-way radio system. The award also includes funds for modernizing the in-house digital intelligence system and universal forensics extraction device.
