Congressman John Shimkus (R-Illinois-19th) stopped in Shelbyville to present a $280,000 grant to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Michael Miller said this non-matching grant will be used to upgrade communications equipment.

“I believe everyone has recognized the need for the new digital communications that this grant opportunity from Congressman Shimkus has made possible for us,” said Miller. “The deputies and all of Shelby County will benefit from this new technology.”

Miller went on to say that for years law enforcement has had to struggle with very poor radio reception and transmission all through the county with portable radios.

“With this new technology we are hoping that will be the days of the past,” continued Miller.

Miller went on to say this new technology will provide encrypted frequencies that will allow for a tactical advantage as well as good officer safety.

Shimkus said some of the lessons of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the hurricane Katrina in New Orleans have taught us that communications across jurisdictions lines is very important.

“That takes a couple of things, it takes freeing up of the air space and it also takes the hardware and software,” said Shimkus. “For rural counties the hardware and software is something that is very expensive.”

Shimkus went on to say that in the work of law enforcement, “Real time communications saves lives.”

Shimkus said with some of the frustration in Washington, D.C. it is always nice to have a success story like this grant.

He said one of the enjoyable parts of his job is helping local officials such as first responders and law enforcement.

“The real services that our citizens need is provided locally and many times the local officials do those services for very little and they catch a lot of grieve,” Shimkus said. “This is a way that we on the national level can support our local officials.”

He said when federal, state and local officials are working together such as this, “Our citizens will be better served.”

Miller had invited the members of his Law Enforcement Committee from the County Board to also be present at the check presentation. One member of the committee, George Frazier said the county should be very grateful to Congressman Shimkus.

“Quite frankly, Shelby County should be very proud to have a Representative of the caliber of Mr. Shimkus,” said Frazier. “He has been a great friend of Shelby County for years. He has always gone to bat for us.”

Miller also wanted to thank Robert Shoraga for his help in seeking out this funding opportunity and drafting the ear-mark request.