U.S. Senator Katie Britt Directly Secures Nearly $200,000 for Somerville Police Department

WASHINGTON , D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently directly secured nearly $199,762 for the Somerville Police Department in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This funding will help secure new vehicles and technology updates, including computers and radar units. “I’m proud to have secured nearly $200,000 for the Somerville Police Department to help upgrade their patrol vehicles and technology,” said Senator Britt. “Equipping our law enforcement officers with modern technology and reliable vehicles is essential to ensuring they can continue to keep our communities safe and respond quickly and effectively when it matters most. My position on the Appropriations Committee helps make this possible, and I’m so honored to be sending hard-earned taxpayer dollars back home to Alabama.” Funding will go towards equipping officers with the most up to date technology to help improve officer safety and performance of their duties.  Equipment includes a new vehicle, the replacement of body-worn cameras and their critical safety software, and portable radios.  The funding will also be used to provide increased security around the City of Somerville by funding the installation of a camera system to enhance security in and around the Police Department, new LED Radar traffic signs to be installed on local highways and roads, and road safety systems that will aid law enforcement personnel in ending vehicle pursuits in and around Somerville. “The funding will greatly improve our police dept. It will bring new equipment such as cars, computers, and radar equipment to our dept. As of now, we have 4 full-time Officers and 2 part-time Officers and the dept only has 3 patrol vehicles, so the Officers and myself are sharing vehicles. Once we receive the new vehicles, that will be a relief on all the Officers and help the dept retain the officers that are currently here by allowing them to have a take home vehicle. The Town of Somerville and the Police Department would like to thank Senator Britt and everyone who was involved in securing the grant money,” said Somerville Police Chief Kenneth Fortenberry. “The town of Somerville is in great need to having our patrol vehicles replaced due to having high mileage and to have the technology upgraded in the units as well. Our town is very sensitive to the needs of our citizens as well as our police department. Being able to keep our officers safe while on duty is very important and allowing our citizens to feel safe due to response time is of the highest priority as well. The technological upgrades help to enhance response times that can also help other surrounding county and municipal agencies in communicating while dealing with certain issues. The upgraded technology keeps everyone on the same page and creates a level playing field. We are tremendously grateful for the Appropriations Act being sensitive to the need of small towns and communities,” said Somerville Mayor Darren Tucker. In total, Senator Britt directly secured more than $15.8 million for Alabama in FY26 CJS appropriations funding. ###