Columbus, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on May 21st, announced $1.6 million in grant funding to help local law enforcement agencies implement violent crime reduction strategies in their communities.

Eighteen law enforcement agencies in 15 counties will receive funding through the latest round of the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Since the launch of the program in 2021, more than $81 million has been awarded to 175 local law enforcement agencies for targeted programs and enhanced technology that aid in preventing and solving incidents of violent crime.

Governor DeWine worked with the Ohio General Assembly to secure continued funding for the program in the state’s 2024-2025 operating budget.

"The overall goal of this program is to help law enforcement implement public safety strategies that meet the unique needs of their communities, " said Governor DeWine. "Many agencies have reported success in solving and preventing crime because of these grants, and I'm glad we're able to continue supporting local communities through this program." 

The $1.6 million in funding marks the 13th round of the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Funding will help agencies pay for investigative overtime costs, new technology to support crime reduction, targeted patrols in high-crime areas, and other initiatives.

Agencies receiving grants to implement violent crime reduction strategies as part of this latest round of the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program include:

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office will receive $42,500 for new technology to assist in preventing and investigating incidents of violent crime.

The Painesville Police Department (Lake County) will receive $145,624.77 to expand its use of technology to assist in preventing and investigating incidents of violent crime.

In addition, the following entities will also each receive grants to pay for ongoing public safety services to prevent and investigate violent crime:

• Akron Police Department (Summit County): $125,125.20
• Canton Police Department (Stark County): $42,125
• Cincinnati Police Department (Hamilton County): $90,717.12
• Cleveland State University Police Department (Cuyahoga County): $44,428.38
• Eaton Police Division (Preble County): $20,000
• Elyria Police Department (Lorain County): $89,436.20
• Garfield Heights Police Department (Cuyahoga County): $403,295
• Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: $40,000
• Madison Township Police Department (Franklin County): $155,536
• Mansfield Division of Police (Richland County): $120,000
• Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: $85,000
• Perkins Township Police Department (Erie County): $26,500
• Pierce Township Police Department (Clermont County): $30,000
• Steubenville Police Department (Jefferson County): $65,520
• Toledo Police Department (Lucas County): $83,333.33
• Union Township Police Department (Clermont): $49,000

MORE: Full List of Violent Crime Prevention Grants Rounds 1-13

Other assistance for first responders developed by the DeWine-Husted Administration includes the creation of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio School Safety Center, Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment, Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness, Ohio Prisoner Extradition Reimbursement Program, Ohio Body-Worn Camera Program,  Ohio Crime Lab Efficiency Program, Ohio Ballistics Testing Initiative, Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience Program, Ohio Court Backlog Reduction Program, Community Violence Prevention Grant Program, and the new eWarrant database