Grant Co. ahead of the curve on body cameras and applying for more

Body cameras are slowly becoming a tool every deputy has alongside a gun and handcuffs.

Kyle Foreman with the Grant County Sheriff department says the body camera program has been in place for three years and they have 20 cameras. In order to have every one of the 50 deputies equipped, they applied for 12 more.

"They have certainly provided proof that we have needed when we have been investigating cases and also to go back for reference to see how the public and deputies interacted with one another, so we judge this as a very positive program," Foreman.

He says for the most part the community has agreed, but they have had some negative comments. Earlier on, they said they were overwhelmed with requests for body camera footage. Recently, state legislation has curbed some of that with new rules about what can be request.    

The department applied for the grant this week and the deadline for public comment is July 11th. They will know between August and September if it received the nearly $11,000 federal grant.

The public is encouraged to contact Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo via email at dponozzo@grantcountywa.gov or by phone at (509) 754-2011 ext. 2021 prior to July 11th, 2016 with any questions or concerns they may have.