Livingston Co. Sheriff’s Office Receives Grant from Sale of Criminals’ Weapons Funds

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office will benefit from the latest sale of confiscated weapons that the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS) says generated over 104-thousand dollars in grants to purchase body armor vests, service weapons, ammunition and Tasers for budget-strapped law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth.

According to a release, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is one of 26 grants awarded this cycle. The sheriff’s office will receive $9,310 to purchase 14 body armor vests. Livingston County Judge-Executive Chris Lasher said that under the fund restrictions they currently have, the only way to purchase this equipment would have been to reduce daily patrols and vehicle maintenance. He said this grant would allow them to continue to protect his officers by providing them with the safest and most up-to-date equipment without compromising public safety.

Under the Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) administered by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, state officials say weapons confiscated by law enforcement entities are sold by the Kentucky State Police at public action to federally licensed firearms dealers. Proceeds from the auction (after a 20% administrative fee retained by KSP) are then awarded to a variety of city, county, public university, sheriff’s and school district law enforcement officers.

The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security began administering the Law Enforcement Program in July, 2008. Since that time, they have awarded more than 4.4-million dollars in Law Enforcement Protection Program grants. This year, the program has awarded more than 500-thousand dollars in grants.

ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE

FRANKFORT, Ky. (November 15, 2016) – The latest sale of confiscated weapons has generated $104,392 in grants to purchase body armor vests, service weapons, ammunition and Tasers for budget-strapped law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth, Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS) Executive Director John Holiday announced today.

“Kentucky’s sworn law enforcement officers face incredible challenges throughout their careers,” Holiday said. “It is critical that these dedicated men and women have the best resources and equipment available as they protect and serve the people and property of Kentucky. This program is another way the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security can in turn protect and serve our law enforcement professionals.”

One of the 26 grants awarded this cycle will provide the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office $9,310 to purchase 14 body armor vests. “Under the fund restrictions we currently have, the only way to purchase this equipment would have been to reduce daily patrols and vehicle maintenance,” said Livingston County Judge-Executive Chris Lasher. “This grant will allow us to continue to protect our officers by providing them with safest and most up-to-date equipment without compromising public safety.”

The Ravenna Police Department in Estill County will receive $3,755, which will allow them to purchase two sets of body armor, two Tasers, two service weapons and ammunition. “Right now one of our officers has no protective vest, and I had to borrow mine from another law enforcement agency,” Ravenna PD officer Michael Gross explained.

Under the Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) administered by KOHS, weapons confiscated by law enforcement entities are sold by the Kentucky State Police at public auction to federally licensed firearms dealers. Proceeds from the auction (after a 20% administrative fee retained by KSP) are then awarded to a variety of city, county, public university, sheriff’s and school district law enforcement officers.

In awarding LEPP grants, KOHS gives first priority to providing and replacing body armor and second priority to providing firearms and ammunition, with residual funds available for the purchase of electronic-control weapons or electronic-muscular disruption technology, and body-worn cameras.

KOHS began administering the Law Enforcement Protection Program in July, 2008. Since that time, the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security has awarded more than $4.4 million in LEPP grants. The LEPP program has awarded more than $500,000 in grants in 2016.

Applications are accepted throughout the entire year. Applications are reviewed quarterly by KOHS staff and with approval of the governor are awarded in accordance with KRS 16.220 based on available funding.

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