Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the Public Safety Office (PSO) will distribute over $500 million in grant funding to various public safety programs and services across Texas. The funding, sourced from both federal and state resources, is intended for initiatives such as victim services, anti-human trafficking efforts, border security, and law enforcement support.

"Ensuring the safety and security of Texans is our top priority in Texas," stated Governor Abbott. "These public safety grants will provide critical funding to strengthen Texas agencies and organizations as they work to secure the border, prevent human trafficking, ensure justice for victims, and protect Texans from dangerous criminals and violence. With this $500 million in grant funding, we will continue to build a safer Texas for all."

The grants cover a wide range of projects including:

- Body-Worn Camera: 98 awards totaling $4.6 million to equip officers with body-worn camera systems.

- Border Fire Zone: 22 awards totaling $3.1 million for specialized equipment and medical supplies in the border region.

- Bullet Resistant Shields: 100 awards totaling $4.9 million for peace officers.

- Bullet Resistant Vests: 113 awards totaling $1.8 million for rifle-resistant body armor.

- Crime Stoppers Assistance: 33 awards totaling $364,000 for local Crime Stoppers organizations.

- District Attorney Forensic Evidence Testing: Five awards totaling $519,000 for forensic analysis reimbursement.

- Homeland Security: 316 awards totaling $56.5 million to prevent terrorism and prepare for threats.

- Human Trafficking: 46 awards totaling $24.8 million for survivor services and anti-exploitation projects.

- Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforces: Three awards totaling $900,000 to combat child sexual exploitation online.

- Justice Assistance: 231 awards totaling $15.3 million to improve the criminal justice system.

- Juvenile Justice and Truancy Prevention: 111 awards totaling $8 million focused on school violence prevention and mental health services.

- Local Border Security (Border Star): 74 awards totaling $5.5 million to enhance law enforcement presence at the border.

- Non-Profit Security Enhancement: 224 awards totaling $30.4 million for security enhancements at nonprofit organizations facing high risk of terrorist attacks.

- Operation Lone Star: 87 awards totaling $55.7 million supporting interagency border security operations.

- Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement: Five awards totaling $1.7 million improving forensic science services quality.

- Project Safe Neighborhoods: 22 awards totaling $1.2 million targeting violent crime reduction through community engagement initiatives.

- Residential Substance Abuse Treatment: Six awards totaling $3.1 million within correctional facilities.

- SAFE Ready Facilities: 41 awards totaling $4.4 million ensuring medical facilities are equipped for Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFE).

- Serving Victims of Crime and Addressing Violence Against Women: 509 awards amounting to $194.9 million aiding crime victims’ recovery process through various support mechanisms addressing crimes against women specifically.

Additionally included are funds directed towards cybersecurity measures with State Cybersecurity Program receiving allocations up-to-the-tune-of approximately eight-million-dollars aimed-at-addressing-cyber-threats-targeting-local-information-systems.

The Governor’s Public Safety Office collaborates with numerous state-level regional partners including Urban Area Working Groups located within major Texan cities like Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex along-with Houston-Austin-and-San Antonio while coordinating these grants distribution processes alongside respective Councils Of Governments scattered throughout statewide jurisdictions comprising all twenty-four regions respectively noted under governance umbrella overseeing each designated area independently yet cohesively integrated overall strategy objectives therein pursued collectively aligning broader vision aspirations held mutually shared commitment values prioritizing utmost safeguarding welfare interests pertaining every citizen residing living anywhere situated inside Lone Star State itself directly impacted positively thereby benefiting substantially due result thereof achieved successfully accomplishing intended goals ultimately realized fully completed accomplished satisfactorily attaining desired outcomes sought initially set forth beginning outset journey embarked undertaking endeavors collectively undertaken jointly together united purpose driven mission fulfilling duty responsibility entrusted shoulders tasked leading charge forefront frontline vanguard spearheading efforts defending protecting preserving sanctity lives freedom liberties cherished deeply held dear heart mind soul spirit essence core being identity synonymous synonymous synonymous synonymous synonymous synonymous synonymous synonymous synonymous