Mentone, Ala. – Alabama Mountains Rivers Valleys (AMRV) Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) gathered with Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senator Steve Livingston, Mayor Rob Hammond, Police Chief Gene McKee, and Assistant Police Chief Mike Langston to announce a $20,000 grant which is assisting to upgrade Mentone’s police department vehicle technology.
The town of Mentone applied for the RC&D grant to assist with the town’s P25 Compliance Project. The equipment purchased with this funding (cameras and computers) will be P25 compliant. It will work with the DeKalb County Computer-Aided Design (CAD) system in which all the municipal police, DeKalb County Sheriff’s office, fire, emergency medical, emergency management, 911, and rescue squads will share. It will be the new process of dispatching the Mentone Police.
Speaker Ledbetter stated that he appreciates the Mentone Police Department and AMRV’s work on this grant.
“Thank you for the job that you do and the services that you provide. Chief McKee and Mayor Hammond are fighting for the town’s needs, and I am happy to be a part of this project,” said Speaker Ledbetter.
Senator Livingston highlighted the importance of the partnership between AMRV and Mentone and the vital need for this equipment.
“I think this will be a great benefit to the Mentone Police. This equipment will allow you to do your job more
efficiently and effectively, and I’m proud to be a part of that,” said Livingston.
Mentone Mayor Rob Hammond praised this grant because of the improved communication it will provide the police department.
“Our police department doesn’t just serve Mentone proper. When the Sheriff needs someone on the county’s north end, they usually call us. There’s a lot of cooperation among law enforcement up here; we all work together, and this equipment will improve things for everyone,” said Hammond.
The State of Alabama has funded RC&D for over 25, which has created giant investment back into the citizens of the State of Alabama.
AMRV Executive Director Renona Seibert thanked Speaker Ledbetter and Sen. Livingston for the opportunity to further advance its mission and serve their local constituents with additional resources they need to help accomplish goals.
“We are grateful for the strong relationship we have with Speaker Ledbetter and Senator Livingston. We would not be able to deliver these funds without the financial support and leadership they provide, “ said Seibert.