10-16-2006, 12:01 AM
The Department of Homeland Security recently awarded the DNR Law Enforcement Division a $1,216,044 federal grant to protect Indiana's ports. The grant is divided into two portions. The vast majority of the money, $931,518, is for protecting the more than 350 miles of the state's Ohio River shoreline. The balance, $284,526, is for protecting Indiana's Lake Michigan area.
"The purpose of this grant is to strengthen Indiana’s ability to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies that could strike our state's maritime locations," said DNR Director Kyle Hupfer.
"We have 13 counties and more than 40 major assets along the Ohio River. This money will increase the Division of Law Enforcement's ability to protect against threats to these areas."
The division will spend the money on four, 27-foot, enclosed cabin powerboats and trucks to tow them. The new boats will enable officers to stay on patrol longer, travel more quickly between locations and use new equipment. Three boats will be located along the Ohio River. One boat will be stationed on Lake Michigan.
"DNR Law Enforcement Division plays a critical role in the security of Indiana," said law enforcement Director Rob Carter. "These new boats will expand our ability to prevent and respond to threats of all kinds beyond our traditional role of enforcing hunting and fishing laws."
The grant will also be used to equip the boats with thermo-imaging devices and highly advanced side-scan sonar units. Officers in districts with Ohio River shoreline will be equipped with fourth-generation night-vision devices as well. The primary use of the boats and equipment will be for anti-terrorism, but will also be applicable to more traditional law enforcement tasks.
[signature]
"The purpose of this grant is to strengthen Indiana’s ability to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies that could strike our state's maritime locations," said DNR Director Kyle Hupfer.
"We have 13 counties and more than 40 major assets along the Ohio River. This money will increase the Division of Law Enforcement's ability to protect against threats to these areas."
The division will spend the money on four, 27-foot, enclosed cabin powerboats and trucks to tow them. The new boats will enable officers to stay on patrol longer, travel more quickly between locations and use new equipment. Three boats will be located along the Ohio River. One boat will be stationed on Lake Michigan.
"DNR Law Enforcement Division plays a critical role in the security of Indiana," said law enforcement Director Rob Carter. "These new boats will expand our ability to prevent and respond to threats of all kinds beyond our traditional role of enforcing hunting and fishing laws."
The grant will also be used to equip the boats with thermo-imaging devices and highly advanced side-scan sonar units. Officers in districts with Ohio River shoreline will be equipped with fourth-generation night-vision devices as well. The primary use of the boats and equipment will be for anti-terrorism, but will also be applicable to more traditional law enforcement tasks.
[signature]