Congressman Bennie G. Thompson Announces More Than $260,000 in Department of Justice Grants to Strengthen Public Safety Across Mississippi's Second Congressional District

BOLTON, MS – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has awarded $261,017 through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to support law enforcement agencies in Jackson, Vicksburg, Warren County, and Panola County.

The awards include:

• City of Jackson – $223,638 to establish and expand the Jackson Police Department's unmanned aircraft system (UAS) program. The funding will support the purchase of two unmanned aircraft equipped with thermal imaging and advanced camera technology, along with software, licensing, maintenance, and officer training to improve real-time response, officer safety, and law enforcement operations.
• City of Vicksburg – $20,156 to support collaborative law enforcement initiatives between the City of Vicksburg and Warren County. The project will fund specialized equipment and technology upgrades designed to improve field operations, enhance investigative documentation, increase officer protection, and strengthen proactive crime reduction efforts throughout the jurisdiction.
• Panola County Board of Supervisors – $17,223 to purchase essential law enforcement equipment needed to support the daily operations of the Panola County Sheriff's Department and enhance public safety services throughout the county.