Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt has secured $1.47 million for public safety upgrades in Dothan and Houston County, Alabama. As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Britt announced that the funding is part of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The act includes $1.25 million in congressional directed spending for Dothan to install a gunfire detection system. These systems use acoustic sensors to identify and report gunshots to law enforcement as soon as they occur, enabling police officers to respond quickly.

Additionally, the FY25 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes $221,000 for Houston County Commission to upgrade emergency communications infrastructure. This will include a new radio tower aimed at enhancing signal strength in remote areas of the county for fire and EMS communications.

Senator Britt stated: “The speed and accuracy of information makes a world of difference for law enforcement officers and first responders protecting and serving our communities. I’m proud to have secured $1.47 million in funding for the City of Dothan and Houston County. These funds would help keep local families safe.”

She continued: “This gunfire detection system would empower Dothan’s law enforcement officers with precise, real-time information to improve response times and hold criminals accountable. Improved radio communication will ensure our first responders can communicate quickly to get to Alabamians in times of need, including in the most rural parts of Houston County.”

Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba remarked: “Budget constraints are real in any police department’s budget, and the Dothan Police Department is no different... Senior leadership within the Dothan Police Department feel that this technology will be a ‘game changer’ when it comes to response times and the mitigation of injuries and potential deaths.”

He added: “We view this technology as an effective way to provide additional community coverage without putting more police officers on the streets... The funding for this technology will play a huge role in our efforts to fight crime.”

Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe commented: “The funding for our communications tower will finally allow us to meet a need that our law enforcement officers identified six years ago... I can’t say enough about Senator Britt’s efforts.”

Both appropriations acts were recently advanced by the Senate Appropriations Committee and now await consideration by the full Senate.

Overall, Senator Britt secured $7.16 million in justice-related congressionally directed spending within these appropriations acts.

Senator Britt remains an advocate for Alabama’s law enforcement community through her support of various legislative measures including co-sponsorships of both the Back the Blue Act and Thin Blue Line Act.

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