Sheriff's department will upgrade equipment

A federal grant channeled through Missouri's State Emergency Management Agency will help the Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department begin upgrading its communications equipment. The $41,173 grant will be the first step to improving communications between deputies and other emergency agencies during a major event, sheriff's Capt. Ruth Ann Dickerson said. The grant represents about one-third of the total requested by the department. "These funds are getting us going in the right direction," Dickerson said. "We know there is upgrading we are going to have to do and this is the first step." The money, part of $5.35 million awarded statewide, comes from U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds for purchasing mobile radios, associated hardware and software. A letter detailing the grant award was accepted Thursday by the Cape Girardeau County Commission.