The Florida Department of Law Enforcement received word Monday from the federal Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) that it has been awarded a $1 million grant to pay salary and overtime expenses for first responders who went to the scene of the deadly school shootings in Parkland Feb. 14.
Immediately after the tragedy that took the lives of 14 students and three teachers and wounded 17 others, Gov. Rick Scott directed FDLE to request the $1 million in emergency funding from the Justice department. See the FDLE letter here.
The money is far from enough to cover all expenses, but it is a significant contribution and will help shoulder the costs.
In responding to the tragedy, the state of Florida, the city of Parkland, and Broward County incurred several million dollars in costs, including securing crime scenes and operating command centers. State and local officials continue to incur expenses.
The magnitude and urgency of the event resulted in a coordinated response of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and first responder personnel from more than 18 agencies.
“The school shooting in Parkland shocked and horrified the nation, but the community and law enforcement at all levels have shown resilience and determination,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a press statement. “As I told our state and local partners back in February, the Department of Justice stands ready to help them in any way we can. Today we offer $1 million to support the police who have been working overtime in the aftermath of this tragedy. They can be sure about this: we have their backs.”
The BJA invited the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which administers the Edward Memorial Justice Assistance Grants Program for the state, to apply for the funds. The law authorizing the Byrne JAG Program permits funding to address “precipitous or extraordinary increases” in crimes such as mass violence.
The program is the largest source of federal funding for state, local, and tribal public safety activities and is one of several programs administered by the Department of Justice that support law enforcement operations and improve officer safety.
