Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence awards nearly $4 million to aid law enforcement

Grants will help officers fight drugs and drunk driving

FRANKFORT, Ky:  Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence awarded 84 federal and state grant awards totaling nearly four million dollars to police departments, sheriff’s departments, and other agencies today.  The grant money will help police officers protect families against drunk driving and drugs.

 “The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet is committed to helping local law enforcement across Kentucky,” said Lieutenant Governor Pence.  “This money will assist officers as they perform the duties necessary to keep their communities safe.”

 24 grants were awarded through the Law Enforcement Service Fee program.  This state money will help officers target drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 

 “In the past five years in Kentucky, there have been about 33,000 DUI convictions each year,” said Lieutenant Governor Pence.  “We need to ensure that our officers are prepared to stop these crimes.”

 In addition, 60 Justice Assistance Grants were also awarded today.  This federal money will help law enforcement agencies, drug task forces, and other programs stop the spread of drugs in Kentucky. 

 “Law enforcement officers witness firsthand how illegal drugs can devastate entire communities,” continued the lieutenant governor.  “This grant money will help officers defend innocent children and protect neighborhoods against drugs.”

 The 84 awards distributed today totaled $3,793,577.33 and were present to agencies in approximately 39 counties.

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