The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is setting aside money to help with Orlando law enforcement officers for their overtime work in the wake of a terrorist attack at an Orlando nightclub which left 49 people dead and dozens more wounded.
According to a press release from Gov. Rick Scott’s office, FDLE has set aside more than $520,000 in residual Justice Assistance Grant funds for the City of Orlando and for Orange County. The funds will be used for overtime pay for law enforcement officers and for equipment associated with the terror attack.
On top of setting aside money for overtime, FDLE has also requested $2 million in emergency Assistance Grant funds from the Department of Justice to help with similar costs of overtime pay.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is also directing $500,000 in funding to local providers for crisis counseling services which include grief counseling, trauma support, and emotional support for victims and their families and loved ones.
Early Sunday morning, a gunman opened fire in the middle of Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. With 50 dead including the gunman and dozens wounded, it is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Since the shooting, Florida’s government officials have directed their efforts towards Orlando. Gov. Scott has been in Orlando since Sunday responding to the crisis, pledging to help the victims, their families and law enforcement officials in any way possible.
“We will continue to do all we can to help Orlando heal and our state agencies are doing everything possible to provide assistance to those impacted by this horrific tragedy,” Scott said. “FDLE has been working with their local partners around the clock, but additional funding from the federal Department of Justice is needed to help support the ongoing investigation.
“DCF is also working to coordinate with counselors on the frontline to offer essential services to victims’ families and provide a supportive place for individuals to grieve loved ones,” the governor continued. “I appreciate the dedication of our state agencies and local organizations as we continue to work together to support the Orlando community.”
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said the work would continue to help support Orlando law enforcement in any way possible.
“FDLE agents continue to work with our partners painstakingly investigating the shooting and FDLE members also identified more than $520,000 to be shared with Orlando PD and Orange County SO to help them with expenses associated with the shooting,” he said.
DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said his department would remain vigilant in its efforts to provide support to the victims of the shooting.
“We not only can offer resources to help them find the strength and resilience to overcome, we can, as an organization and as individuals, show how this event can serve to renew our faith in humanity,” Carroll said. “We will remain steadfast in working with our partners to provide grief and crisis counseling to all those in need."
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
