By 1812Blockhouse; Office of Governor DeWine
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.
One of those agencies is here in Richland County.
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.”
In total, Governor DeWine will award approximately $58 million as part of the grant program in coming months.
The Mansfield Division of Police received a grant for $272,000, which represents the fifth highest amount awarded.
According to local media site Richland Source, the Division intends to use the grant to expand its “ShotSpotter” coverage area (read here). That technology has already proved valuable to directing local law enforcement to the location of gun shooting incidents.
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
