(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today awarded more than $3.7 million to 21 local law enforcement agencies to help them strategically combat violence in their communities.
The 21 agencies are the first to receive funding through Governor DeWine’s new Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Governor DeWine, in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, created the program last year to give local law enforcement additional tools to hold accountable the small number of criminals responsible for most violent crime in the state.
“This is just the beginning of our concentrated efforts to give local law enforcement the specific tools they need to combat crime through localized strategies,” said Governor DeWine. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to fighting crime, and I am dedicated to helping our local agencies prevent violence using the methods they know will make the most difference in their local neighborhoods.”
VIDEO: Governor DeWine discusses importance of Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program |
Entities receiving grants include law enforcement agencies in Allen, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lake, Lawrence, Lucas, Lorain, Mahoning, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Warren/Butler counties. Grants will be used to either enhance current violence reduction initiatives or launch new efforts.
In total, Governor DeWine will award approximately $58 million as part of the grant program in coming months.
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The Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program initially launched last year with $8 million from the state’s operating budget and was increased last month to $58 million with the addition of American Recovery Plan Act funds that Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly have dedicated to first responders to counter various pressing issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants announced today are all funded through Ohio’s operating budget.
