BOOSTING PUBLIC SAFETY, BUILDING COMMUNITY

Thanks to a $127,500 grant from Congressman John Carter, the Liberty Hill Police Department will soon get brand-new computers and radios, without the need to burden taxpayers. “With our computers getting older, we likely would have been asking for money to replace them in the next budget,” Chief Royce Graeter says. “This grant is a great way for us to make some progress and not use funds out of our budget. It will be a great benefit to the citizens because the taxpayers’ money can be used for other things.”

Chief Graeter sent the funding request to Congressman Carter and, in September, the department received the grant as part of an appropriations bill that provided grants to multiple cities in Williamson and Bell counties. “As a strong supporter of our local law enforcement, Representative Carter is committed to properly funding them for the safety of our communities,” Communications Director Emily Taylor says.

The grant will allow Liberty Hill PD to buy 15 new computers, 13 computer mounts for officers’ vehicles, five car radios, and additional Brazos eCitation software designed to reduce traffic offenses and improve safety and efficiency by speeding up traffic stops.

Building Community

Beyond keeping Liberty Hill safe, Chief Graeter and his team strive to give back and build community connections through meet-and-greet events like National Night Out and holiday drives like Operation Blue Santa. Check out these upcoming events:

• TRUNK OR TREAT, OCTOBER 28: Trunk or Treat offers a safe place during Halloween for residents to dress up and enjoy an evening out with costume contests, candy, and police item giveaways.

• OPERATION STUFF A CRUISER, EACH NOVEMBER: Each year before Thanksgiving, the police department collects food at various locations to donate to Operation Liberty Hill. Last year, the department collected 1,683 pounds of food.

• OPERATION BLUE SANTA, EACH NOVEMBER: The police department stations donation barrels at local businesses and collects toys for families to receive through Operation Liberty Hill.

• NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, OCTOBER 2024: Residents can meet officers and check out police and fire vehicles, helicopters, and other types of vehicles.

“We usually have a great turnout and some awesome conversations at this event,” Chief Graeter says.

These events, he adds, promote police and community relationships while bringing neighbors together. “We want to have a great community policing environment where we can have great relationships with our citizens and businesses.”

Visit the Liberty Hill Police Department’s Facebook or visit them on Twitter for event updates and the latest public safety news.