WASHINGTON | Region law enforcement agencies are poised to receive a total of $3.75 million -- and could apply for some of $25 million in grants -- when Congress and the president approve money that U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky inserted into a federal spending bill.

About $3 million is slated to go to the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, while the balance is slated for police departments in Schererville, St. John, Dyer, Griffith and Hebron, according to a news release from the Indiana Democrat.

Local agencies also are eligible to apply for $25 million in grants as part of Visclosky's Bulletproof Vest Partnership, which he created in 1998. The partnership funds up to 50 percent of the cost of bulletproof vests. Since 1999, the program has provided more than $524,000 toward the purchase or replacement of more than 2,800 bulletproof vests.

"I am dedicated to helping our law enforcement officers acquire the tools they need to keep our communities safe from crime and drugs," Visclosky said in the news release. "These funds to support law enforcement activities will help make communities safer and improve the quality of life throughout Northwest Indiana."

The money is found in the fiscal year 2009 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill and the fiscal year 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve both bills Wednesday, and both must be approved by the House and Senate.

The money will be released once the bills are signed into law by the president.

The money slated for HIDTA -- which Visclosky helped create in 1996 to aid Northwest Indiana in overcoming a wave of drug and gang crime -- will be used to continue its drug control programs and operations.

Among local agencies, Schererville, St. John and Dyer are slated to receive a total of $475,000 to purchase equipment to increase communication and intelligence sharing between the departments.

Griffith is slated to receive $225,000 for dispatch center upgrades, digital in-car camera systems and the purchase of graffiti-removal equipment.

Hebron is slated to get $50,000 to purchase digital in-car camera systems for patrol cars.