LYNCHBURG (WSLS 10) - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded nearly $500,000 in federal grants to five Virginia localities to purchase law enforcement body cameras.
The grants, which require a local funding match and development of a comprehensive implementation and training program, were awarded to police agencies in the following Virginia communities:
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Newport News Sheriff's Office – $209,944
City of Lynchburg – $205,486
City of Waynesboro – $36,445
City of Fairfax – $28,878
Dinwiddie County – $16,200
The grants, awarded through the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance, are designed to support body cameras as a law enforcement strategy aimed at improving public safety, reducing crime, and improving trust between police and the public.
Nationally, the Justice Department announced grants this week totaling more than $23.2 million to 73 law enforcement agencies in 32 states to expand the use of body cameras.
More information on the federal program is available here.