Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) announced today that the Vidor Police Department has been awarded an $11,500 federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP).  This grant will help local police officers purchase new surveillance equipment.

“Federal grants make access to state of the art equipment a reality for many of our smaller communities. This funding will help to ensure that Vidor police officers have the resources to do their jobs properly,” said Brady. 

Video surveillance equipment changed the way law enforcement agencies conducted investigations. It is used by police departments to monitor the safety of officers while on duty. Portable surveillance equipment helps to add to the integrity of law enforcement investigations by providing principled accounts of events that take place.

“Grants like these are very helpful to smaller police departments like ours. It enables us to employ equipment we would otherwise not be able to afford. This new equipment will enable us to provide an extra layer of security to our police officers, and we would like to say thank you,” said Assistant Chief Rex Carter with the Vidor Police Department.

The goal of the CEDAP program is to strengthen the nation’s level of preparedness by awarding money to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers. In 2007, over $30 million will be provided to law enforcement and emergency responder agencies across the nation.