SHREVEPORT, La. — Two local law enforcement agencies are receiving nearly $390,000 in state funding to strengthen public safety efforts following two recent tragedies in northwest Louisiana.
State Sen. Sam Jenkins announced the appropriations Wednesday, saying the funding is intended to provide additional resources for law enforcement and improve services for crime victims.
The largest allocation, $265,000, will go to the Shreveport City Marshal's Office. Jenkins said he sought the funding after the November death of Vivian Police Officer Mark Brock, who was killed while serving an arrest warrant.
"That's really what made me want to respond," Jenkins said. "We are announcing a state appropriation this summer of $265,000 to our Shreveport City Marshal's Office."
Shreveport City Marshal James Jefferson said the money will help purchase critical safety equipment, including body-worn cameras and ballistic vests for deputies.
"Basically, with those ballistic vests, we are in very dire need of the vests," Jefferson said. "We try to keep up with modern-day technology."
A second appropriation of $125,000 will go to the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office to expand resources for victims of domestic violence.
Jenkins said the funding request also was influenced by an April 19 tragedy that underscored the need for stronger domestic violence intervention efforts. After meeting with members of the affected community, he traveled to Baton Rouge to advocate for additional state funding.
"We just cannot talk about domestic violence intervention," Jenkins said. "We need to be about it. And I want to commend Sheriff Whitehorn with the domestic violence unit."
Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn said the funding will be used to strengthen services for victims and their families.
"We're going to use this money to make sure that we're providing the necessary resources and services to our victims and families that are involved in domestic violence," Whitehorn said.
In total, the two appropriations amount to $390,000 in state funding.
Jenkins said he hopes the investments will help prevent future tragedies while ensuring local law enforcement agencies have the tools and resources needed to better protect the public and support victims.