Law Enforcement Grants Awarded to ND’s Oil Region

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's Land Board has awarded 1.4 million in state grants to law enforcement agencies in North Dakota's oil-production region.

Officials say the money will support sheriffs' offices in Divide, Dunn, McKenzie, Stark and Ward counties and police departments in Arnegard, Belfield and New Town.

The law enforcement grants approved by the Land Board include funding for patrol vehicles, radios, officer safety gear and other equipment. Grants also will be used to help local law enforcement agencies cover the costs of overtime pay and housing allowances.

Over the next two years, the Land Board is slated to award about $240 million in impact grants to counties experiencing rapid growth from the state's oil boom.

The Land Board is headed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple.