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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently awarded the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) police department $685,980 through the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP).

The agency will use proceeds to fund two new explosive-detection canine teams for three years and acquire explosive detection security-related equipment. MARTA was the only transit agency to receive 100 percent of its funding request, according to the agency.

DHS recently awarded about $78 million in TSGP grants, which are funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars, to 15 transit agencies. The grants will enable the agencies to add 240 law enforcement officers to their police departments.
 
MARTA’s police department comprises 370 officers and civilian employees. The department is one of only four transit police agencies in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, according to MARTA.