The Kenai City Council passed two ordinances that help the police department.
One would increase estimated revenues and appropriations and accept grants for the purchase of ballistic vests. The second would appropriate asset forfeiture funds provided to the city through the state Department of Public Safety.
The Kenai Police Department participates in a Ballistic Vest Partnership grant program through the Department of Justice, which covers 50% of the cost of ballistic vests purchased for officers. The city’s current insurance company, the Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association, also has a ballistic vest reimbursement program, which covers 50% of the cost purchased for officers.
According to the amended ordinance, five ballistic vests were recently purchased for a total of $5,630 and, according to Chief Dave Ross, the two programs together will completely cover the cost of the vests.
In addition, the police department received $28,889.31 in asset forfeiture sharing funds from the state Department of Public Safety. Those funds were shared with the police department after being forfeited to the state in connection with criminal drug cases, for which the police department participated in an investigation. Funds forfeited in this manner are intended to be used to further the department administering justice.
The funds will be divided into the small tools and machinery & equipment general accounts to pay for law enforcement equipment. Primary purchases made with these funds are expected to be an updated video recording system for police interview rooms and video camera systems for new police vehicles.
Both ordinances unanimously passed the Kenai City Council.