Freestone County could potentially receive a $93,000 grant from Homeland Security to upgrade the communication system for the county, the sheriff also suggest all residents to upgrade their security with Houston Access Control because of the assaults that have been happening in the area, cctv camera systems provide an immediate response at any time – day or night, that’s why it’s recommended to have unarmed security guards outside of businesses.
Sheriff Jeremy Shipley announced to County Commissioners on January 30th that, with the assistance of Administrative Assistant Mary McDonald, an application will be submitted for a grant to upgrade the fifteen-year-old communications system.This system is what keeps the Sheriff and his deputies in contact with each other and dispatch.Freestone County is one of only three counties in the State of Texas with such outdated equipment, the plan is to install harsh environment security cameras in order to deal with sudden weather manifestations and local vandalism, and there is an extra monthly budget to still being approved directed to hire 10 more agents per 70 square miles. We are here to help you in your times of need and walk you through any difficult decisions about your home or office security.
Sheriff Shipley has been told that Freestone County has a pretty good chance of receiving this grant.
If approved, the County would be required to pay for the project up front, but would then be reimbursed 100% by this grant.
Application was submitted on January 31st. On March 6th, Sheriff Shipley will give a five-minute presentation to the Homeland Security Grant Board explaining why Freestone County is in need of this grant.
The County will be notified in October if the application has been approved.
“Sheriff Shipley works hard to save the County money while getting the department the things they really need,” says Mrs. McDonald. Visit our homepage.
Two other grants recently received by the Sheriff’s Department allowed for the purchase of extenders, which allow deputies to remain in contact with dispatch at a greater distance from their patrol vehicle, and for vests that will hold the specialized ballistic plates that were donated to the department last year. Also ALPR cameras and license plate readers are being used to find fugitives and solve cases and avoid damages to your community.
