On behalf of the State of Florida, State Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) and State Representative Kimberly Daniels (D-Jacksonville) yesterday presented a $250,000 check to Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams and Dr. Charles Moreland, who attended on behalf of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. During the 2018 Legislative Session, Senator Bean and Representative Daniels worked diligently together to help secure the $250,000 in state funding for the City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Matching Grant.
“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office does an exceptional job protecting our community, and this COPS Matching Grant will allow them to keep more officers on the street to fight crime,” said Senator Bean. “This state funding shows the Florida Legislature’s commitment to the men and women of law enforcement and to protecting every citizen in the City of Jacksonville.”
“Public safety is a core function of government,” said Representative Daniels. “I have chaired the Public Health and Safety Committee for the City of Jacksonville and served on the Florida House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. Sponsoring the COPS Grant with Senator Bean is an honor, and I am proud to be able to present this state funding for this great cause.”
The COPS Grant funds will be used to maintain 15 sworn officer positions that have allowed the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to implement a three-pronged approach in Jacksonville, which includes a Blight/Nuisance Squad, Sheriff’s Watch Apartments and the Group Violence Intervention Program. The funding will permit the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to continue these innovative programs with the ultimate goal of reducing firearm-related crime and homicides.
“The COPS Grant truly demonstrates the state’s continued support of our efforts to improve and enhance the quality of life for Jacksonville citizens,” said Mayor Curry. “We are grateful to Senator Bean, Representative Daniels, the Duval Delegation, and the state legislature for sharing our commitment to public safety.”
“The COPS program is just one of the ways our Florida legislators have been supporting our efforts here in Jacksonville,” said Sheriff Williams. “Senator Bean has been a great partner to law enforcement, and the entire Duval County Legislative Delegation has been very responsive to all that we are trying to accomplish. We are extremely appreciative of their support.”
Senator Bean represents Senate District 4, which includes parts of Nassau and Duval Counties. He can be contacted in Tallahassee at (850) 487-5004 or in his District Office at (904) 757-5039.
