PLATTSBURGH -- The City of Plattsburgh Police Department will receive $43,000 in federal funds from a special program.

The Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program will provide the money so the city can purchase a small, lightweight global-positioning system that is specifically designed for law enforcement.

"This is great news for our emergency responders in Plattsburgh and the rest of the North Country," U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said in a statement about the disbursement of funds.

"These grants provide funding for essential equipment and training that will strengthen our responders' preparedness by equipping them with the tools they need to protect our communities, and themselves, during an emergency."

Eligibility for these funds is limited to law-enforcement agencies, fire departments and other emergency-responder agencies with specific financial and capability needs.

Funds were available for five categories: extrication devices; thermal imaging, night vision and video surveillance tools; chemical, biological and radiological detection tools; information-technology and risk-management tools and vehicle-tracking tools.

Since the program's inception in 2005, the Department of Homeland Security has provided about 6,800 grants under this program worth more than $120 million.

About $757,525 was handed out to upstate New York communities this year through the program.

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com