On Tuesday, from his seat on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., announced $12.75 million in U.S. Department of Justice funds through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP).
Crist, who was elected governor as a Republican in 2006, is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis next year. He sits on the U.S. House Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees the CHP.
“These funds will enable Florida to hire 102 full-time community police officers across the state to better serve Florida’s communities, reduce crime, and keep our streets safe,” Crist‘s office noted.
“Safe communities allow us to build thriving homes and neighborhoods in which we live, work, and play,” said Crist on Tuesday. “This funding will allow cities and counties across Florida to hire additional community-based police officers. As public safety forces across our country undertake the important work of reform and accountability, these COPS grants are about the fundamentals: fighting crime, supporting officers, supporting communities, and strengthening overall public safety. Violent crime in Florida is up, and I’m proud to use my seat on the House Appropriations Committee to help the Sunshine State rise to the challenge.”
According to Crist’s offices, the funds will be distributed as follows:
$1,750,000 for the City of Fort Myers to hire 14 police officers.
$1,250,000 for the City of Fort Pierce to hire 10 police officers.
$1,875,000 for the City of Miami to hire 15 police officers.
$6,250,000 for the County of Miami-Dade to hire 50 police officers.
$250,000 for the County of Putnam to hire 2 police officers.
$1,250,000 for the City of Tampa to hire 10 police officers.
$125,000 for the City of West Park to hire 1 police officer.
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