GULF SHORES, Ala. — At the City Council meeting in Gulf Shores on Monday, members voted to authorize applications for two grants from the United States Department of Justice that, if received, will greatly enhance equipment at the police department.

The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant is a $35,000 grant that became available through the stimulus plan in March.

It is a 100 percent grant from the government and once approved, would be used by the police department to purchase new all-terrain vehicles that are used to patrol the beaches.

“Before (Hurricane) Ivan hit, we had three four-wheelers,” said Police Chief Arthur Bourne. “Now we are down to one, and after five years of service with the salt and the elements, we really need to upgrade.”

Bourne hopes that if the grant is received, they can purchase two or three new units.

“It may not be four-wheelers that we purchase, but it will be some type of all-terrain vehicle that we can use off road, patrolling the beaches and something that we can use during hurricane situations,” he said.

The JAG program is a partnership among federal, state and local governments to create safer communities.

It works in coordination with the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant program to provide agencies the ability to place justice funds in areas where they are most needed.

Once approved, the JAG grant can be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance or information systems to help apprehend, prosecute, detain and rehabilitate law breakers.

Gulf Shores will also be applying for a $350,000 grant from the Justice Department through the Community Oriented Policing Services Program who is administering the grant.

Over the past 15 years, the COPS program, established as a part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, has provided more than $11 billion in assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies.

“If we receive this grant, we will use the money to completely upgrade and replace our existing communications system,” Bourne said.