TAMPA, FL – The Justice Department has allocated more than $36.6 million in grant funding to the Middle District of Florida to support a range of public safety and community justice initiatives.
The funds are part of a larger $4.4 billion package awarded nationwide by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The grants aim to bolster community ability to reduce violence, serve youth and victims, and implement evidence-based justice strategies.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the nationwide effort to ensure safety. “This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support victims, build public trust in law enforcement, and make communities safer,” he said.
U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg noted the comprehensive nature of the funding. “The funding announced today will greatly support those working to keep our citizens safe every day,” he said.
The grant for the Middle District of Florida will be used to expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help individuals transition safely from confinement to their communities, improve services for crime victims in underserved areas, steer youth away from the justice system, manage sex offenders effectively, and support research to help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said the funding will augment ongoing efforts to curb violence and promote safety. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta added that the grants would also invest in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, and various other services.