The Atmore Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were the recipients of grants to help purchase equipment, according to the Alabama Department of Economic Affairs.

The grants for the equipment are to help improve public safety in jurisdictions.

The Gulf Shores and Atmore police departments and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department each received $24,000. Other awards include the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, $23,999; the Wilcox County Sheriff’s Department, $23,977; and Evergreen Police Department, $23,715.

“Every day police and deputies in Alabama put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a release. “These grants will enable law enforcement agencies in southwest Alabama to obtain the proper equipment they need to perform their duties.”

The awarded agencies can purchase law enforcement-related equipment they deem most essential to serve the public and do their jobs in an effective and safe way. Common items purchased with the grants include patrol cars, computers, radios and bullet-proof vests.

ADECA is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department.