U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, announced Tuesday that the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance will award $100,000 to the City of Luverne for police department improvements, according to a press release from Sen. Shelby’s office.

This funding is appropriated through the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG), which provides funding for law enforcement to implement programs and improvements that prevent and control crime based on their own needs.

“In many of my 67 county visits each year, district attorneys and law enforcement officers express the importance of the Byrne grants,” said Shelby. “This reiterates my strong belief that the individuals serving on the front lines of our communities each day know best what their departments need to successfully do their jobs. Providing funds directly to our law enforcement officers allows them to control crime based on their own needs and is one of the best ways we can support our crime fighters.”

This funding will be used to purchase three new police vehicles, as well as supporting radar, computer, and lighting equipment.