The funding categories are being monitored by St. Louis County. Check back with this page often as the content will be updated.
POLICE/FIRE
Broadly, this category includes:
- U.S. Department of Justice funding designated for COPS Universal Hiring Program ($1 billion); Edward Bryne Justice Assistance Grants ($2 billion); State & Local Law Enforcement Assistance ($765 million); and Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution ($225 million)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding designated for State and Local Programs ($300 million); and Assistance to Fire Fighters ($210 million)
On Tuesday, March 14 St. Louis County Commissioners approved a board resolution authorizing the Sheriff to apply for 5.0 new Sheriff Deputy positions through the Department of Justice Office of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. This program is set-up to address officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The funds will cover the salary and fringe benefits of new, entry level positions of law enforcement officers for a period of three years. The grantee will be required to cover the costs of the positions during the fourth year, which is essentially the “match” for the grant. St. Louis County applied for five deputy positions. These positions would be one deputy law enforcement contract position with the city of Cook, two prisoner transport positions, a school liaison deputy position to replace the present grant-supported position (this position will cease when the current grant is spent, sometime in the fall of 2009), and a second deputy sheriff liaison position to provide service for the Cook, Orr, Tower and Babbitt Schools.
St. Louis County was also notified of the Bryne Justice Assistance Program (JAG), which aims to reduce or prevent crime through support of all components for the criminal justice system. St. Louis County was notified of an initial formulary allocation of $43,608. Total for the County and cities within St. Louis County is $372,529. JAG applications are due May 18 and authorization to apply will go to the County Board prior to this date. Additional information will be available here in the future.
Watch for additional details on other law enforcement and community services programs. Opportunities will be analyzed as additional details become available.
On June 23, 2009 the County Board approved application for and acceptance of a Port Security Grant to finance the purchase of an assault boat for the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office ($98,000 received). The Sheriff's Office provides a response on Lake Superior and the Duluth/Superior harbor area for water emergencies including homeland security incidents.