JONESBORO, Ark. – The City of Jonesboro has received five grants totaling almost $1.4 million over the past month, including funding that will provide bulletproof vests, body-worn cameras, technology upgrades and enhanced speed and DUI enforcement for police officers, as well as assistance for low-income housing rehabilitation and first-time homeowners.
The City’s portion of these grants is $337,874. Much of it will come from in-kind services. Te federal share is $1.056 million and the state is providing $2,000.
“I am proud of our Community Development and Grants Department, as well as the Police Department, for ensuring we find every avenue to save local taxpayer dollars,” Mayor Harold Perrin said. “As I’ve made clear before, we cannot run Jonesboro on sales tax alone, and this is grant money that would go elsewhere if we didn’t make the effort to find it.”
Police Chief Rick Elliott said the body-worn cameras were provided free this year, and JPD has seen an improvement in public interactions that he credits to the equipment.
“It’s been pointed out nationwide that once an officer wears a camera, they’re always on their best behavior. And when the public realizes they are being videoed, they are on their best behavior,” Elliott said. “Our officers have given great feedback, and we have found that wearing cameras has reduced the number of situations that could go bad.”
The total grant for the cameras is $600,000. The bulletproof vests, body cameras and technology grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. Both require a 50-percent match, whether by cash or in-kind services.
A Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant will provide $102,700 for increased policing of seatbelt, speeding, DWI/DUI and child safety-seat enforcement. The City’s portion is $18,700.
“We were one of the top cities in the state for seatbelt enforcement and were recognized by the Arkansas Department of Transportation for our work,” Director of Community Development and Grants Tiffny Calloway said of JPD. “This year we’re receiving more money for the grant than in the past, and we will be able to enforce more.”
Elliott said the grant means additional eyes will be on city streets while other officers respond to non-motorist calls.
Calloway said $622,310 received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will go in part to low- to moderate-income home rehabilitations and first-time home buyers.
“We are also able to provide funding to non-profit organizations,” she said. “This year we are assisting Habitat for Humanity, the Hispanic Center, West End Neighborhood Association and Mid-South Health Systems.”
A portion of the HUD grant will be used to improve sidewalks on Patrick Street.
“We are grateful to receive this federal funding and will continue to pursue opportunities to serve Jonesboro,” Calloway said.
press release – Bill Campbell, City of Jonesboro
Why does the mayor & his crew beg for money to repair & build ghetto housing? Tax Dollars that’s why! We have enough low income apartments, housing & neighborhoods, sidewalks nobody walks on for fear of being mugged. This is why we’re seeing crime increase all over town the moochers are flocking to Jonesboro for all the free handouts. Stop wasting our tax money, Enough already!!!
Let me clarify: By tax dollars I meant the city’s population that are on government assistance can go out & buy stuff the normal working folks can’t buy cause we have to save our money to make it. City leaders know the more poor people they draw here the more tax dollars they pocket. That’s why they build subsidized apts & houses everywhere. There are many places in town that need sidewalks besides the poor neighborhoods, one is Prospect Rd you have to jump in the ditch when Cars approach. And yes the JPD needs equipment to make their jobs better & safer that’s not wasteful.