Tuesday, September 17, 2024
A recent decision by the Hood County Commissioners Court will significantly impact the safety and security of the Hood County Sheriff’s Office.
During a regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 10, the court unanimously approved resolutions regarding two public safety grant applications. These grants will provide vital equipment to support the community's first responders.
The commissioners first approved a resolution for the Public Safety Office Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant, allowing the purchase of nine new bullet-resistant shields. The total awarded amount is $75,845.63, which will cover the full cost of these shields without requiring any additional matching funds from the county.
“That’s a great deal,” Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds said. “That’s nine more than we have right now, so that’s a fantastic deal ... As soon as the resolutions are signed and sent in, they’ll release the money.”
The court also approved a resolution for the Public Safety Office Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant. According to Deeds, this grant will provide $16,892.50, which is expected to cover the cost of seven to eight new rifle-resistant vests — depending on final costs.
“We had started working on this through the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money,” Deeds said. “So this total that we will be receiving is $16,892.50 and so we'll have to get an update quote on the cost of those. For sure, we’ll get seven more of those vests, maybe even eight — hopefully they didn't go up on cost — but for those rifle-resistant body armors, same thing, we need to approve the resolution to get the funds.”
In separate unanimous motions, the court approved the resolutions for both the bullet-resistant shield grant and the rifle-resistant body armor grant — ensuring that crucial protective equipment will soon be acquired and distributed to members of the Hood County Sheriff’s Office.
