Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-8) announced today the opening of COPS grant opportunities for law enforcement agencies across Central Florida. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 will provide $1 billion in CHRP (Cops Hiring Recovery Program) grants to police departments and sheriff’s offices. The money will go directly to the agencies to create and save jobs and to increase community policing and crime-prevention efforts.
Grayson said, “It’s at times like this that people are most desperate and likely to commit a crime. It’s at times like this that our resources to fight crimes are most strained. Public safety is the most fundamental public service. These grants will enable the federal government to step in, give police chiefs and sheriffs some much-needed money to hire more officers and deputies, and make sure that public safety needs are met.”
Congressman Alan Grayson urged law enforcement leaders to take advantage of the CHRP grants being offered. He also promised that he and his staff will offer assistance. Congressman Grayson is proud of the fact that a member of his district office staff, Darren Vierday, is focusing solely on grant applications to ensure that the people of the 8th Congressional District get what they need from the federal government.
The ARRA also guaranteed $2.76 billion to prevent and control crime across the country. Of that, more than $6.7 million has already been awarded to law enforcement agencies in the 8th Congressional District using current JAG formulas (see below). That money goes directly to the agencies to spend as they see fit, be it for additional officers, vehicles, weapons or training.  The ARRA will also use a grant process to award another $225 million to combat violence against women.
For more information on allocations for Central Florida law enforcement agencies and a state-by-state breakdown, go to: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/recoveryallocations.html
