The Chapel Hill Town Council held a public hearing Monday to allow residents to comment on the expenditure proposal for the $44,510 2002 Law Enforcement Block Grant. No residents chose to speak at the hearing.
The final requirement is acceptance by the Town Council of the grant, which will be presented to the council Oct. 21.
The hearing was the second of three prerequisites the police department must meet before it receives the grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The department announced its eligibility for the grant in July, making this the sixth year local police have been eligible. A match of $4,946 in local funds is required for Chapel Hill police to use the grant. An advisory board has already approved the proposed use of grant funds, clearing the first requirement.
The board was composed of Community Watch member Delores Bailey, East Chapel Hill High School Principal Dave Thaden, Assistant District Attorney James Woodall and Chief District Court Judge Joe Buckner. All members supported the proposal.
Buckner said everyone approves or submits objections separately, with the board never meeting as a group. "I have never seen one from Chapel Hill be denied," he said. He said he supports the proposal "as long as it doesn't interfere with the administration of justice."
Valerie Foushee, Chapel Hill police administrative services supervisor, said grant funds are "mainly for equipment, for training and items relating to both."
Town Council member Jim Ward said most of the money will go toward an upgrade in technology and computer equipment for the patrol cars.
Council member Dorothy Verkerk said she is confident the grant will be approved. "I'm sure that there'll be approval for it," she said. "It's free money."
