Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Grant to add high-tech features for copter By JOHN THOMPSON jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com The Fayette County Commission will vote today on a Homeland Security grant that will outfit the Sheriff's Department's helicopter with the latest in camera technology. The county is set to receive nearly $304,000 in a Georgia Emergency Management Association grant to buy a night and day vision camera for the copter, along with goggles for the crew. "We're getting 10 percent of the grant money for the whole state," said Sheriff's Department Lt. Col. Bruce Jordan. Jordan is looking at purchasing the equipment, dubbed POP, from an Israeli company. "We'll be one of only three departments around the country that has POP," Jordan said. The grant also enables the department to purchase a spotlight and a downlink system that allows firefighters or police on the ground to view what the helicopter is seeing from the air. The funds require the county to purchase the equipment, but be reimbursed fully at a later date. The meeting starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Fayette County Administrative Complex. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to the News Home Page| Back to the top of the page