Department of Justice makes $850 million available to help public safety agencies

Special to the State Gazette

Memphis, TN – The Department of Justice today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, " Unfortunately, because criminal activity does not engage in social distancing or voluntary quarantine, law enforcement agencies and correctional institutions must continue their duties in in order to protect public safety during this challenging time. Much like the nurses and doctors fighting this virus, law enforcement officers and agents cannot self-isolate. They are among the essential employees expected to endanger their own well-being in service of the greater good. The Department of Justice is committed to providing significant resources to support and protect our public safety professionals, and these much needed funds will be put to good and immediate use in West Tennessee."

“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals," said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. "We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”

Of the $850 million available nationwide, over $7 million is directly earmarked for individual cites and counties in Tennessee, with $3,049,546 targeted to nine cities and counties in the Western District, including:

· $41,960 for Bartlett

· $35,126 for Covington

· $58,008 for Dyer County

· $46,100 for Dyersburg

· $138,850 for Jackson

· $58,008 for Madison County

· $2,523,880 for Memphis

· $114,695 for Shelby County

· $32,919 for Tipton County


The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.