The Lawrence City Council approved several grant expenditures Nov. 6 that the police department said will preserve 911 services and support offender‑registry verification activity.

The finance committee recommended and the council approved authorization to expend $405,377 toward PSAP 911 support and initiative software and equipment. Rosa Sheppard, director of support services in the Lawrence Police Department, told the council the PSAP funds cover software maintenance, cybersecurity and equipment for the dispatch center; she said the money is necessary to maintain current services rather than create a large new enhancement.

The council also approved two offender‑registry grants—each for $23,846 (identified in the agenda as FY2023 and FY2024 allocations for address/verification work). Sheppard said those grants have historically paid overtime for sworn officers assigned to that verification work; the police department described the funds as an incentive to assign specific officers and to remain in compliance with state requirements.

Councilors pressed the department on whether the registry is kept up to date and whether residents can access a Lawrence‑hosted list; staff said the city currently points to the state offender‑registry website but discussed working with IT and the police to provide easier local access. Police said if the city did not receive these grants the department would still need to comply with state requirements, but the overtime funding helps preserve capacity and avoid shifting other local funds.

Votes on the grants were taken by roll call and carried with recorded affirmative votes.

(Quote sources: Rosa Sheppard, Lawrence Police Department; council roll calls.)