Middle District Of Florida Agencies And Stakeholders Awarded More Than $20 Million In Funding For Investments In Public Safety

The Justice Department announced today several new commitments as part of its Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. Instituted by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in May 2021, the strategy focuses on harnessing federal resources, intelligence, and expertise as a force-multiplier with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.   

Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta highlighted the more than $334 million in critical grant funding to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders awarded today by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).The COPS grants announced today include funding to help law enforcement agencies hire over 1,730 new law enforcement officers across the country while also providing critical funding to support school safety and continue to advance community policing nationwide.  

Through this funding, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) is pleased to announce that the Department’s COPS Office has awarded $20,677,053 in the MDFL to combat violent crime and maintain public safety. 

“Law enforcement officers across the country are showing up every day to protect their communities in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These grants, which support the hiring of more than 1,700 new officers and make critical investments in school safety and crisis intervention efforts, will help provide local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to keep their communities safe, support officers, and build public trust.” 

“The more than $20 million in grant funding awarded to recipients in our district will help our law enforcement partners to continue to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “This funding will support the hiring of more than 180 new officers in our district, promote community policing, as well as provide funds for law enforcement mental health and wellness.”

Lastly, the Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General announced that this December 11-13, in Indianapolis, the Justice Department’s will bring together 1,500 local and federal partners from across the country, including representatives from the more than 50 PSP jurisdictions and from Project Safe Neighborhoods for a Violent Crime Reduction Summit, to be hosted by OJP BJA. 

Complete lists of all program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here.