ELBERTA, Ala. — The Elberta Police Department has just been awarded a federal grant for $97,516.80.

During Tuesday night’s Elberta Town Council meeting, Police Chief Stan DeVane announced that he was notified by the office of Alabama Secretary of Law Enforcement about the award at approximately 3:30 that afternoon.

The award is a reimbursement-style grant that will enable the Elberta Police Department to purchase nine camera systems for police cars.

“Using Watch Guard Digital in-car video,” the grant news release states. “They run $4,820 each installed.”

The grant also allows for the purchase of six mobile radios, which cost $4,135.80 each, installed.

The police department will also purchase nine “brand new Tuff Books loaded with all the latest software available,” the release states, adding that each one costs $3,258.

DeVane said that he and Town Councilman Michael Hudson recently traveled to the state capital to visit with State Rep. Steve McMillan to request funding. The result was the grant for new equipment.

“We will pay for the items up front,” DeVane said.

“That sounds like a pretty profitable trip y’all made up to Montgomery,” Elberta Mayor Marvin Williams said.

DeVane said paperwork for the grant will be delivered to Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Mitchell Simmons by the end of the week.

“We are still accepting bids to work out the best deals that will be compliant with state/town bid laws,” he said.