Sen. Britt touts $650,000 secured for St. Clair County law enforcement
The money includes school security cameras in Pell City and a sheriff’s rescue boat, amid ongoing scrutiny of license plate readers.
Earlier this year, U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, secured $650,000 in funds for law enforcement in St. Clair County as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, CJS, Appropriations Act.
Britt, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, recently released a statement celebrating the investment and pledged to continue directing federal dollars toward law enforcement and other community safety initiatives.
"I’m proud to secure $650,000 for our law enforcement officers in St. Clair County,” Britt said. “Keeping our communities safe is one of my top priorities, and these investments will provide local law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to protect the people they serve. Through the Appropriations Committee, I will always fight to support our first responders, protect our students and residents, and ensure our communities are better prepared to respond to emergencies.”
$400,000 of the funds will be directed to the Pell City Police Department for public safety cameras and upgraded security video software for school campuses.
Pell City Police Chief Justin Cooper thanked Britt for supporting the appropriations in an official statement.
“This funding will help Pell City strengthen the tools our officers use to respond to incidents and investigate crime. Public safety cameras and aggregated data can provide timely information when every minute matters," Cooper said. "We are grateful to Senator Britt for supporting an investment that will help us serve and protect our community."
Pell City has employed controversial Flock Safety cameras since 2019—automated license plate readers which have drawn backlash from communities across the country over privacy concerns and misuse by law enforcement. In July, employees from two separate police departments in St. Clair County were placed on leave after being found to have violated policies related to the use of Flock cameras.
The remaining $250,000 in funds will be used to purchase an emergency response boat for the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office for use in search and rescue, disaster response and maritime patrol operations.
“We are extremely grateful for Senator Katie Boyd Britt’s unwavering support of law enforcement and her dedication to the safety of St. Clair County," said St. Clair County Sheriff Billy J. Murray. "This $250,000 funding allocation for a new emergency response boat is a vital investment in our search and rescue capabilities. With thousands of residents and visitors utilizing our lakes and waterways every year, this vessel will enhance our operational readiness and help us save lives when seconds count.”
The $650,000 investment in St. Clair County marks just a fraction of the over $15 million in appropriations secured for Alabama through the 2026 CJS bill, including more than $9 million for local law enforcement.
