The High Springs Police Department announced and the commission approved acceptance of a $24,000 award from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) on Oct. 23.

Chief Antoine Shepherd said the department participated in a countywide allocation process administered through Alachua County and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. He said High Springs received the largest allocation among municipalities in the county and that the Byrne JAG funds will purchase a new Harley-Davidson police motorcycle to replace an aging 15-year-old unit.

Shepherd described operational benefits: improved traffic enforcement, enhanced capability for parades and dignitary escorts, expanded community-policing outreach and increased officer safety and reliability. Shepherd also said the department received a residual grant award of $65,000 earmarked to replace several old radios and anticipates an additional approximately $100,000 from an RFQ in process.

Commissioners asked whether the $24,000 fully covers the motorcycle purchase and about longer-term operation and maintenance costs if the department retains an older motorcycle as a training unit. Shepherd said the Byrne grant will cover most of the purchase and that a small additional amount will come from departmental reserve funds. He said agencies often retain an older bike as a training bike; the department has not yet decided whether to keep the older machine.

A motion to accept the Byrne grant funding for the motorcycle was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The department emphasized that the grant approach reduces impact on the city’s general fund; Shepherd described these awards as examples of cost-effective, externally funded equipment purchases.