Metro Police get stimulus money

[editor]

METRO POLICE TO RECEIVE $3M IN FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS

METRO police made the list of 15 transit agencies across the country that will get a boost from federal stimulus funds.

METRO’s $3 million award comes from the pool of $78 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) funds – money aimed to help transit agencies better equip themselves to prevent acts of terrorism.

METRO’s police department will use the money to hire 10 police officers - two of the spots will be filled with explosives detection canines.

“Any additional resources will help us to make the system safer,” said METRO’s Assistant Chief of Police Tim Kelly. “Police officers are the backbone of what we do. This money will help us get more officers on the force to help with our day-to-day operations, such as conducting random patrols which help deter terrorism and reduce crime.”

Transit agencies are able to use the funds to hire new police officers or anti-terrorism personnel, purchase anti-terrorism equipment, and to obtain and train canines for explosives detection.

Though these funds will help METRO police better guard against potential terrorist acts, Kelly urges the public to be its partner in safety.

To report any suspicious behavior, call METRO police at 713-224-2677 or dial #MPD on your cell phone.