NEWPORT-The Newport Police Department has been awarded a $5,000 High Visibility Safety Grant from the Tennessee Governor's Highway Safety Office (GHSO).

According to Newport Police Chief J. Maurice Shults, the local department became eligible for this grant through their participation in several highway safety initiatives.

"Those included Booze It and Lose It, Click It or Ticket, Buckle Up in Your Truck, and 100 Days of Summer Heat," said Shults.

Shults said that the department's plans for the money include the purchase of blue lights and high visibility markings for three new patrol units.

"The Newport Police Department will continue to participate in the Governor's Highway Safety Office initiatives and Safety and Sobriety Check Points throughout the coming year," Shults added.

"We want to thank Director Kendall Poole for the continued support of the GHSO," Shults said. "We are also very proud to be part of a regional network that is 100 percent active. The high visibility markings and blue lights will serve two major concerns, those being high visibility to the motoring public and safety for our officers during traffic stops and checkpoints."