COLUMBUS, Ohio — An additional $42 million is being made available to law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio as Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday the extra money is being offered through the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program.
This new money brings the total funding in this program to $100 million. Gov. DeWine’s office lists multiple ways the money can be used, including:
- Creation, implementation and/or expansion of proven or promising violent crime reduction initiatives such as place-network investigations, focused deterrence, hot-spot policing and crime gun intelligence centers
- Recruitment efforts
- Retention bonuses
- Hiring bonuses
- Payroll costs
- Technology
- Equipment
- Training
- Technical assistance
- Analytical tools / support
- Overtime costs associated with implementing crime reduction strategies
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"Violent crime is spiking nationwide, and here in Ohio, I want to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have as much support as possible," Gov. DeWine said. “From new equipment to more staff, we're giving our agencies the flexibility to use these grants in ways that make the biggest impact on the safety of their communities."
To date, Gov. DeWine’s office says $28.7 million in grants have been awarded to 99 law enforcement agencies statewide. The next round of grant awards are expected to be announced later this week.
The Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program launched last year with $8 million from the state’s operating budget. It was later expanded to include $50 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
“Because the total amount of grant requests far exceeded $58 million, today's $42 million in additional funding will go toward qualifying requests that have already been submitted,” according to Gov. DeWine’s office. “The $42 million is part of the ARPA funding set aside by the Governor and Ohio General Assembly specifically for use by law enforcement and other first responders.”
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated police story on Aug. 4, 2022.