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The federal government is now helping Pine Bluff Police fight crime. Already the department has received more than $1.6 million in stimulus money and another million and a half could be on the way.
"It makes you feel like somebody just raped you, to have your home messed with, it doesn't make you feel good," said Lori Martin-Fair.
Lori Martin-Fair is describing how she felt after someone burglarized her Pine Bluff home. She's gone through it three times!
"About two months ago, they took quite a few things, my household items, clothing, equipment, things they could easily carry," Martin-Fair said.
But news that Pine Bluff just received $1.6 million in stimulus grants, has Martin-Fare hopeful that Pine Bluff police will now be able to better protect her and her three kids.
"We're going to be able to have more people in unmarked cars and in plain clothes in the neighborhood day or night," said Lt. Bob Rawlinson with the Pine Bluff police.
With this nice chunk of change, Pine Bluff is now going to be able to hire seven new police officers. Lt. Rawlinson says that means safer streets, less crime.
"It'll make me feel much safer, better. I'm hoping they can accomplish other things by receiving that money," said Lori Martin Fair.
The annual salary for a Pine Bluff Police Officer is $32, 500. That includes full benefits, 15 days paid vacation, and twenty days of sick leave.
The Little Rock Police Department also received stimulus money. They received the most, $3 million. Like Pine Bluff they'll use the bulk of the money to hire additional officers.
Police departments around the state will be able to hire 60 new officers with $8 million in grant money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The funds will be distributed as follows:
City of Ward Police Department, 1 officer, $128,809
City of Cotton Plant, 1 officer, $64,981
City of Hot Springs, 2 officers, $321,522
Jonesboro Police Department, 7 officers, $1,008,574
Lake Village Police Department, 1 officer, $110,664
Little Rock Police Department, 20 officers, $3,043,680
City of Madison, 1 officer, $84,972
Marianna Police Department, 1 officer, $94,808
City of Montrose, 1 officer, $94,797
Morrilton Police Department, 1 officer, $144,378
Nashville Police Department, 1 officer, $117,417
North Little Rock Police Department, 9 officers, $1,455,849
Osceola Police Department, 1 officer, $123,371
City of Pine Bluff, 7 officers, $1,013,656
Texarkana Police Department, 4 officers, $678,400
City of West Helena, 2 officers, $197,392
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