Federal funding is on the way to help the Batesville Police Department upgrade equipment and technology used to keep the community safe.
Police Chief John Scarbrough told the Batesville City Council on Tuesday night that the department will receive $575,000 to support its Real-Time Crime Center. The funding will be used to purchase new radio equipment and Tasers, he said.
Scarbrough said the funding information came from the office of U.S. Sen. John Boozman and noted the money does not require any matching funds from the city.
Boozman, a Republican who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured the funding as part of three Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills approved by Congress. The legislation covers the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Energy and Interior, as well as agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers.
According to Boozman’s office, the bills include provisions written by the senator that support public safety projects, academic research and water infrastructure improvements across Arkansas. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“I am pleased Congress has approved more full-year funding bills and was proud to secure critical investments directly in Arkansas,” Boozman said in a statement. “Ensuring our communities get the support they deserve and helping provide needed budgetary certainty to these federal departments is a win-win.”
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