Police agencies in Mackinac County have learned they will share in a $1.6 million federal grant to be received by Chippewa County, Mackinac County Sheriff Scott Strait reported July 31. The amount to be allocated in Mackinac County, which has yet to be determined, is expected to be several hundred thousand dollars, he said.

The Mackinac County funding will pay for overtime patrols, personal protection equipment for deputies, including survival suits and ballistic protection equipment, and specialized training.

In addition to the Sheriff's Office, state, city, and tribal police in Mackinac County will share in the money.

The grant was given by the Homeland Security office for increased border patrols in Chippewa County, which will disperse funds in the coming months. Chippewa County is sharing the money with Mackinac County because I-75 and the Mackinac Bridge are direct egress routes to the border, Sheriff Strait pointed out. The Mackinac Bridge has ties not only to the international border in Sault Ste. Marie, but also is on a direct transportation route from the Bluewater Bridge and to the western U.S. and Canada, he said.

Mackinac County agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, were among those that formed a research team to determine needs of local police forces in applying for the grant, Sheriff Strait said.

The money will be received over the next three years and equipment purchases are expected to begin in the next few months.