Pubdate: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 Source: Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC) Copyright: 2002 Sun Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/sunnews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987 Author: Tonya Root GRANTS AID LOCAL POLICE WITH BULLETPROOF VESTS Federal grants will provide more than $19,000 to three local police departments to purchase bulletproof vests for officers without them or replace outdated ones, state officials announced Tuesday. Locally, Horry County police can expect $12,756; Conway police, $3,721 and Andrews police $3,000 to buy the equipment, according to a news release. The money comes from the U.S. Justice Department's Drug Control and System Improvement program, which gave $408,136 to the governor's office for distribution. "This grant will support efforts to provide better protection of our law enforcement officers in their continued efforts to reduce violence and drug-related crimes," Gov. Jim Hodges said. State officials, who serve the area, also received portions of the grant. They include: S.C. Highway Patrol will receive $47,298; state probation and parole officers, $29,484; and State Law Enforcement Division agents, $3,375. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth