The Department of Homeland Security will conduct an audit of equipment it provided to the Greenwood-Leflore Emergency Management Agency.
Fred Randle, director of GLEMA, reported to the Leflore County Board of Supervisors Monday evening that the federal agency would be checking up on equipment purchased with Homeland Security funds during a February audit.
Since the Department of Homeland Security was formed in 2002 following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the federal agency has provided extensive funding to local agencies through grants and other programs to acquire equipment and upgrade facilities.
There has been some controversy over the whereabouts of some of GLEMA’s equipment.
Former agency director Troy Brown complained repeatedly during his six-month tenure that agency equipment was used and relocated without any notification to his office.
Brown’s grievances over the location of county equipment contributed to his clashes with County Administrator Sam Abraham and factored into the Board of Supervisors’ decision to fire Brown in February.
Brown’s predecessor, T.W. Cooper, retired in June 2013 without verifying or signing off on an updated inventory list. Cooper refused to sign off on the list because he claimed he’d never had “full and total charge of all of my equipment.”
Randle, a Leflore County sheriff’s deputy who was hired by the board as emergency management director in October, completed a final inventory in early November. At the time, Randle said the original purchase value of the missing items $18,700, but he said the vast majority of missing items were outdated — and largely worthless — Kenwood portable radios.
Randle also told the board Monday that the generous federal grants GLEMA has received in the past to buy vehicles and gear may soon be drying up.
Randle was seeking approval for a $25,000 upgrade to a command and communications trailer owned by the county. The Department of Homeland Security has contributed $10,000 in grant money for the upgrades.
Asked if more federal funds might be available next year, Randle said he was very doubtful.
“The days of Homeland Security giving out money — they’re gone,” Randle said.
Randle said the federal agency has faced budget cuts and shifted its priorities toward providing training and support to local authorities. When it comes to equipment, he said, the county may have to foot more of the bill in the future.
• Contact Bryn Stole at 581-7235 or bstole@gwcommonwealth.com.
