Butler County Commissioners ratified a $375,683 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime. The money will be used for five spectrometers to be shared by local law enforcement agencies for detecting chemical substances.

The hand-held spectrometers, according to Sheriff Mike Slupe, measures spectral chemical components including gasses, liquids and solids.

“This will help with police department’s investigations of criminal narcotic activities,” he said. “It can detect at trace levels and help prioritize investigative resources.”

The five spectrometers will be shared between departments within certain proximity in the four county corners, and Butler City and Butler Township will also share a device.

Up to 50 officers can be trained on the use of the spectrometer, Slupe said.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel asked if results detected by the spectrometer are actionable in court, and Slupe said they are.

“The anticipated impacts resulting from purchasing this equipment includes 30% reduction in cases going to the lab and 15% in lab backlog,” he said.

The commissioners also approved the use of $1,230,000 for improvements to White Bridge in Evans City borough.

Bids were opened following the commissioner’s meeting last month, according to Kevin Gray, county planning.

“The bridge sits on Maple Avenue in Evans City,” he said. “We expect the project to start the first of the year.”

Bids for the project were awarded to Brayman Precast for precast concrete deck panels for a total of $172,400 and Carmen Paliotta Contracting for $57,900.