(Jefferson City, MO) — Gov. Mike Kehoe has announced more counties, cities and towns as achieving the newly-created Missouri Blue Shield designation. Those named will now be eligible to tap into $10 million in state funding for law enforcement, training, equipment and technology.
“I’ve said from day one that improving public safety is the top priority of our administration and the response of communities, large and small, across our state shows that Missourians want to have safer streets and support law enforcement,” Gov. Kehoe said. “Now, all 201 of the Blue Shield communities will be able to apply for funding through the Missouri Department of Public Safety to further bolster public safety through grants for training, equipment, and technology.”
Sixty Missouri counties, 137 cities and four towns were approved as Blue Shield communities after applying by June 1 to the Department of Public Safety.
A map of Blue Shield communities and the full list of approved jurisdictions is available here.
Criteria to be eligible for a Blue Shield designation is:
- Passage of a resolution demonstrating a commitment to public safety, including to reduce violent crime within the jurisdiction;
- Extraordinary investments in public safety funding;
- Community policing initiatives or local partnerships to invest in and/or improve public safety;
- Law enforcement officer recruitment and retention program;
- Demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crime or innovative programs that attempt to reduce crime;
- Participates in regional anti-crime task forces, or a commitment to be a willing partner with these in the future;
The Blue Shield Program, as outlined in Executive Order 25-03, is part of the Governor’s Safer Missouri initiative.
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