Georgia uses $83.5 million in COVID relief money for public safety grants
Georgia is giving out more than $83.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief money as grants to fund 118 public safety projects across the Peach State.
Departments can use the funds to augment law enforcement staffing and support violent crime reduction initiatives or intervention programs. They can also use the money to invest in technology and equipment to address the uptick in violence and personnel shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We commend Gov. Kemp and the legislature for continuing their commitment to public safety, especially in an environment where we continue to see high crime rates in cities across the state,” Josh Crawford, director of criminal justice initiatives for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said in a statement. “Ensuring safe communities requires involvement from all of us, including partnerships between state and local officials.”