Bamberg County Detention Center Awarded Federal Grant to Purchase Full Body Scanner

Posted by 04/12/2024 Categories: Bamberg County Airport bamberg south carolina city of bamberg south carolina cleanup campaign community community service environment government keep America Beautiful Keep Bamberg County Beautiful litter pickup local government Public Works reduce reuse recycle South Carolina sustainability volunteer work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

To: News Media, Community Leaders, and Bamberg County Citizens

From: Bamberg County Administration

Date: April 12, 2024

Re: Bamberg County Detention Center Awarded Federal Grant to Purchase Full Body Scanner

Bamberg, South Carolina (April 2024) –Bamberg County happily announces that with the assistance of the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), the Bamberg County Detention Center has been approved to receive a federal grant to purchase a Tek84 Intercept body scanner. The $218,700 grant will cover the equipment purchase cost as well as any warranty or other related fees.

This grant is fully funded by the federal government under The American Rescue Plan, which has aimed to stimulate the economy during and after the Covid-19 Pandemic. Body scanners are eligible equipment because not only can they detect any potential weapons or contraband on individuals entering law enforcement facilities, but they can also detect if someone has a fever and/or potential illness like Covid or the flu. Such technology will enhance the safety and health of the Bamberg County Detention Center staff and inmates. Per grant guidelines, SCDHEC will advance Bamberg County the funds to purchase the body scanner before July 31, 2024.

Detention Center Captain Moses Cheatham said, “The new body scanner will be a game-changer for the Detention Center staff, inmates, and visitors. The scanner will detect whether individuals have weapons or drugs anywhere on their body. It will also help us detect and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid.”

“We are so pleased to have secured funding for a body scanner for the Bamberg County Detention Center. We sincerely thank Captain Cheatham and his staff for their service to Bamberg County. They deserve this state-of-the-art equipment to help protect them and keep them healthier,” added Bamberg County Chairman Evert Comer, Jr.

“Bamberg County is immensely grateful to SCDHEC for helping us secure the funding for this invaluable equipment that will make our Detention Center a safer and healthier place for all who enter it,” said Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston.

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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov.