E.L.P.D. makes upgrade wish list

Upgrades in supplies ranging from uniforms to a geographic mapping system could be in sight for the East Lansing Police Department but only if the U.S. Department of Justice approves the ELPD’s wish list of items to purchase using federal stimulus money.

The police department, which was granted $91,967 in federal stimulus money out of the $852,033 given to Ingham County law enforcement agencies, submitted a list of supplies that will enhance safety and cost effectiveness, East Lansing police Deputy Chief Juli Liebler said. The department expects a decision by the end of September, she said.

“I think that it will help us do our jobs better,” Liebler said, adding that some of the items will improve the safety of the community and others will help save money.

The new uniforms, which are less expensive than current uniforms, will save money in the long run, East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said. The mapping system will allow officers to respond to incidents more quickly, he said. Also included on the request list are three additional Tasers; laser measuring devices that can be used in accident investigations; a GPS system that locates police cars; and two automated ticket writers, Liebler said.

The Department of Justice designates funding based on the number of Part 1 crimes, those that are more severe, she said. East Lansing was granted the second highest amount of money in Ingham County, after the city of Lansing, she said.

Wibert said the department has high hopes that the items proposed will be approved.

“We’re hoping that this will be funded,” he said. “It’s stuff that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.”