San Angelo, TX – Governor Greg Abbott's Office announced Thursday that the Public Safety Office (PSO) would be granting more than $296 million in funding for a variety of programs and services throughout the state of Texas.
Funding has been made possible through a combination of federal and state dollars that will support a broad range of public safety initiatives.
"Nothing is more important than the safety and security of Texans, and this grant funding will strengthen our efforts to prevent and combat crime while also supporting victims and survivors," said Abbott.
"Protecting public safety requires a comprehensive approach, and each of these recipients play an essential role in keeping our communities safe. Texas thanks the hundreds of award recipients for serving their fellow Texans and for working to build a safer and stronger Texas."
The Governor’s Public Safety Office administers numerous state and federal grant programs in coordination with several state-level and regional partner agencies including the 24 regional Councils of Governments (COGs) in Texas along with the Urban Area Working Groups (UAWGs) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston, and San Antonio.
Multiple Tom Green County agencies will be receiving funding for the following initiatives:
- Homeland Security – 7 ($250,437)
- Local Border Security (Border Star) – 1 ($10,491.00)
- Justice Assistance – 9 ($272,041.66)
- Bullet Resistant Vests – 1 ($32,041.44)
- Juvenile Justice and Truancy Prevention – 1 ($41,068.77)
- Addressing Violence Against Women – 1 ($13,078.00)
- Serving Victims of Crime 4 ($362,141.93)
- Specialty Courts – 1 ($176,700.00)
- Homeland Security: 412 statewide awards totaling $61.6 million to help prevent terrorism and prepare for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of Texas and its citizens. These projects fund equipment, planning, training, exercises and other activities for local, regional, and state-level agencies and strengthen core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal.
- Local Border Security (Border Star): 94 statewide awards totaling $5.3 million to provide for overtime and operating costs that support an increased law enforcement presence to detect, deter, and disrupt drug, human, and other trafficking along the Texas/Mexico border.
- Justice Assistance: 215 statewide awards totaling $13.5 million to promote public safety, reduce crime, and improve the criminal justice system. Projects funded support personnel, equipment, supplies, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice purposes.
- Bullet Resistant Vests: 58 statewide awards totaling $4.7 million to provide peace officers with rifle-resistant body armor to prevent loss of life during tactical and emergency response operations.
- Juvenile Justice and Truancy Prevention: 108 statewide awards totaling $10.6 million to prevent violence in and around schools and to improve the juvenile justice system by providing mental health services, truancy prevention and intervention through community-based and school programs.
- Serving Victims of Crime: 308 statewide awards totaling $104.6 million to provide victim service activities including: first responder mental health services, professional therapy and counseling, crisis intervention services, and peer support groups.
- Addressing Violence Against Women: 87 statewide awards totaling $11.9 million for projects that provide training opportunities, legal advocacy, investigation and technology resources, and protective order assistance to victims of violent crimes.
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Specialty Courts: 61 statewide awards totaling $7.9 million to support judicially supervised treatment, intensive case management, and other services to assist participants with substance abuse or mental health challenges move toward a healthier lifestyle, reduce the number of repeat offenses, and address congestion in the court system
Entities interested in seeking funds to support their public safety initiatives during the next grant cycle (FY 2022) should reach out to their local COG to learn about region specific timelines and requirements. The PSO posts funding opportunity announcements containing program purposes, a description of allowable activities, timelines, and other requirements on the Office of the Governor's eGrants website.
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