By Scott Pohl, WKAR News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-851815.mp3
EAST LANSING, MI – The Lansing Police Department is getting a grant of more than $867,000 from the federal stimulus plan.
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In all, a billion dollars in grants to police departments across the country were announced by Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder. Michigan agencies get $34-million to hire and rehire 160 officers. Lansing's grant will pay for four officers.
The Lansing State Journal reports that the Ingham County Sheriff's Department had applied for a grant of $9.6-million, but didn't get any of the money.
Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth was dissappointed by the news. He says he doesn't know if this will help or hurt the proposal to ask voters to approve a new millage for the department.
"Boy, I'll tell you what. I don't have a crystal ball that's that clear," he said. "We've still got to get the millage proposal through the board, and that's going to be the first hurdle."
The biggest grant in Michigan went to Detroit. More than $11-million will pay for 50 officers there.