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Oakland police report $77,000 in new grants; department bought off-road vehicle and applied for staffing grants
Summary
The police department reported securing about $77,000 in grants this year for equipment — including a four-seat side-by-side and a $32,000 drone — and said federal staffing grant applications for two officer positions were denied for a second year.
Oakland Police Department officials told the Town Commission on Sept. 8 that staff secured roughly $77,000 in grants for equipment this year and have purchased a four-seat side-by-side vehicle and a drone for operational and event use.
Chief (name not specified) credited staff member Kelly Sims for the grant work and described the equipment and grant outcomes. "When I got here almost 3 years ago, we had 2 grants, 1 for 1,000, 1 for 10,000, and that's it. This year, we've obtained $77,000, 100% due to Kelly Sims and the work she's done," the chief said. Grants purchased a four-seat side-by-side intended for events, storm response and access in areas vehicles struggle to reach; the department also secured a drone that the chief said will assist in searches, critical incidents and event crowd monitoring. The chief called the drone "critical" for some search and incident responses and said the department will show the vehicle to the commission once final updates are complete.
The chief also said federal grant applications requesting funding for two additional officer positions were submitted two years running and denied both times, but staff will continue applying. "She's keep trying," the chief said of the grant writer. The department indicated it will continue to pursue federal and state funding opportunities to supplement staffing and equipment needs.
Why it matters: Small-town public safety budgets are sensitive to equipment and staffing costs; outside grant awards can materially expand operational capability without increasing the local tax burden. The department’s newly purchased equipment will be used for search and rescue, event safety and neighborhood access, according to the chief.
What’s next: The department will continue to apply for staffing grants and other external funding. The chief said he would bring the new side-by-side vehicle to a future meeting so commissioners and residents can see it.
