PERRY COUNTY -Area criminals may want to become extra cautious because the Perry County Sheriff Department plans to update its equipment.

On Aug. 18 U.S. Senator Richard Shelby announced the U.S. Department of Justice will give $10,603 to Perry County on behalf of The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, or JAG.

According to Sheriff James Hood, the money will be used to purchase various needed items for the department.

“We’ll use the funds to get some things we weren’t able to get before,” Hood said. “We’ll probably get a digital camera, printer, some night-vision equipment, a digital recorder, Motorola 2-way radios and some fingerprinting kits.”

He also said the department needs restraint belts for when convicts are transported to court and back.

Hood said the department applied for the grant about two months ago.

He felt as though they were qualified for the grant so the chances of them getting it were “pretty good.”

“It will be a lot of help to the budget,” Hood said. “Now we can get some things the budget didn’t cover.”

Although Hood said the department probably wouldn’t receive the funding until October, he is appreciative for the grant.

“Every little bit helps support our original budget.”