By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council unanimously approved accepting a $24,000 federal grant on July 8 that will fund the purchase of new ballistic shields and protective vests for the Citrus Heights Police Department.
The council approved a resolution accepting the 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), which the department will use to replace outdated protective equipment, according to police. The grant does not require the city to contribute matching funds.
According to the staff report, the Police Department applied for the funding based on its need to replace aging ballistic shields and vests. The new equipment is intended to support officer safety and the department’s ongoing equipment and training initiatives.
“This request will support our goal to provide exceptional police services to the community and enhance officer safety,” the staff report states.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is an annual federal program that provides funding to state and local governments to supplement public safety efforts. Funding is allocated based on violent crime rates and population, with 60 percent distributed to states and 40 percent distributed to local governments.
Although local agencies receive allocations through a federal formula rather than a competitive application process, the staff report notes there are no guaranteed funding amounts awarded, or minimum allocations each year.
JAG funding may be used for a variety of law enforcement purposes, including personnel, training, equipment, research, forensic laboratories, criminal justice information systems and other public safety initiatives. As part of the application process, agencies must identify how the funding will be used.
In Citrus Heights, the Police Department has designated the funding for replacing outdated ballistic shields and protective vests, according to police, who spoke on the subject at the July 8 Citrus Heights City Council meeting.
According to the staff report, the equipment will be purchased in accordance with the city’s adopted purchasing policies and procedures. The City Council approved the resolution unanimously.
