PALM HARBOR, Fla. (29 Jan.) -- U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis will present federal funding to the Plant City Police Department (PCPD) for the purchase of crime fighting technology. The presentation will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 1, 2008 at the Plant City Police Department, located on 1 Police Place in Plant City, Florida.

Recent federal spending legislation signed into law in December 2007, included more than $131,000 specifically requested by Congressman Bilirakis for the PCPD to purchase digital cameras and laptop computers in order to enhance the Department’s ability to fight crime and keep the community safe.

The state-of-the-art, high-resolution, digital cameras will help police officers gather and better document photographic evidence at crime scenes and traffic-related incidents. The laptop computers will be used to provide officers in the field remote access to the Department’s integrated computer networks.

These federal funds are allocated through the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Law Enforcement Technology Program, whose mission is to advance community policing in all jurisdictions (especially smaller ones) across the United States.

The Plant City Police Department, led by Chief Bill McDaniel, has a staff of 99 personnel, 74 of whom are sworn law enforcement officers. The Department’s primary service response area totals 28 square miles, which is divided into six patrol zones. The Department has an annual budget of about $6 million.

For directions to the PCPD or questions about the funding presentation, please call Plant City Asst. City Manager Mike Karr at 813-659-4274 or Congressman Bilirakis's Palm Harbor District Office at 727-773-2871.