Governor Mike DeWine announced that 24 local law enforcement agencies will receive a total of $11.7 million to help prevent and investigate incidents of violent crime, including domestic violence, gun violence, and human trafficking.
The grants represent the 10th round of the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Since the program’s initiation last year, DeWine has awarded close to $70 million to 146 Ohio law enforcement agencies. Approximately $100 million will be awarded to local law enforcement agencies as part of the grant program in total.
“Local law enforcement agencies spend considerable time and resources to combat violent crime and make their communities safer. By funding advanced technological tools and increased staffing through this grant program, we are supporting their mission and helping the cause,” DeWine said.
According to crime data from the FBI, there were 36,104 violent crimes reported in Ohio in 2020 – or 309 for every 100,000 people. Last year, Ohio’s violent crime rate increased by 5.3 percent, in line with the national increase.
“We hope to decrease crime in these focused areas and establish better community ties. I think this is a win-win situation for the police and the community,” Elyria Police Chief William Pelko said.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office – $2,096,372.35 to hire new personnel for the new Central Ohio Violence Eradication Response Team and purchase new technology.
The Galion Police Department – $134,814 to purchase new technology to assist in the prevention and investigation of violent crime.
The Green County ACE Task Force – $201,227.69 to purchase new technology to prevent and investigate violent crime and to fund overtime hours for investigations.
The Hamilton County Heroin Task Force – $263,106.43 to pay for an investigator focused on reducing violent crime.
The Hamilton Police Department – $259,615.60 to purchase new technology to prevent and investigate violent crime, increase patrols, offer hiring bonuses, and begin two youth police academies.
The Lake County Narcotics Agency – $45,744 to support a new initiative to reduce violent crime using data and intelligence to identify active violent offenders.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office – $269,366.50 to purchase new technology to reduce violent crime and to pay overtime costs.
The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office – $1,385,705.77 to assign a full-time investigator, purchase equipment to assist in human trafficking investigations, and offer retention bonuses.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office – $502,605.16 to hire a crime analyst, provide domestic violence training, and purchase new technology to prevent violent crime.
The Medina County Drug Task Force – $160,092 to hire one drug enforcement and interdiction agent.
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office – $53,500 to purchase new technology to prevent violent crime.
The Medina Police Department – $60,000 to purchase new technology to prevent violent crime.
The Miami Township Police Department – $549,522,20 for the purchase of new technology to prevent violent crime and pay retention bonuses.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office – $480,028.80 to support the investigation of human trafficking incidents and provide human trafficking task forces throughout the state.
The South Central Ohio Major Crimes Unit – $252,313 to purchase new technology to prevent violent crime, hire a part-time analyst, and enhance community engagement.
The Southeast Area Law Enforcement Task Force – $253,721.78 for retention bonuses and overtime hours and to purchase new technology to prevent violent crime.
The Summit County Drug Unit – $111,090.45 to pay for overtime hours and purchase new technology to prevent violent crime.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office – $98,546.81 to support overtime operations of the Summit County Human Trafficking Task Force and to purchase new technology to prevent violent crime.
The Westlake Police Department – $1,829,525.61 to purchase new technology to prevent violent crime, offer retention bonuses, and hire officers.
The Youngstown Police Department – $1,862,761.84 to expand recruitment efforts, hire new officers, and purchase new technology to prevent violent crimes.
In addition, the following entities will also each receive grants to pay for retention and/or hiring bonuses to help maintain current law enforcement staffing levels, recruit new officers, and continue ongoing public safety services to prevent and investigate violent crimes.
Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office – $19,180
Logan County Sheriff’s Office –$120,872.04
Oxford Division of Police – $218,376.33
Scioto County Sheriff’s Office – $503,890.24
In partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, DeWine created the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program to give local law enforcement additional tools to address violence, including increases in crime associated with law enforcement retirements and resignations.
The program is funded through both the state operating budget and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 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, including violent crime. The grants announced are all funded through ARPA.
The program is administered by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services within the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mike DeWine” by Governor Mike DeWine.
