Senator Bo Hatchett praised the actions of Governor Kemp Friday following multiple public safety grant awards that were given to Stephens County and the Commerce Police Department.
Earlier this week, Kemp announced preliminary grant awards totaling more than $83.5 million. That money will go towards 118 qualified projects that help to improve community-level public safety measures while also addressing law enforcement staffing issues that reportedly came about due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds will be used to supplement local law enforcement staffing, aid in violent crime reduction, bolster community violence intervention programming and invest in technology and equipment that will stem the rise in community violence across the state, according to the Senate Press Office.
Following Kemp’s public safety grant announcement, District 50 Senator Bo Hatchett lauded the move by the governor, praising the move to support his district’s first responders.
“I appreciate Governor Kemp and his staff for awarding Commerce’s first responders with this grant funding,” Hatchett said. “The Commerce Police Department is extremely deserving of this grant and I look forward to seeing these key initiatives implemented in the coming months.”
The Commerce Police Department is slated to receive $79,310 that will be used to implement modern intelligence-led policing strategies for crime reduction, while enhancing the overall quality of life in Commerce, according to authorities.
Another major recipient of funds is Stephens County, which is set to receive $1,185,156. That funding is planned to be used to provide more deputies on the streets and additional jailers, in hopes of reducing the strain that is currently being placed on staff.
“I’d like to thank the Governor for directing this funding to the first responders of Stephens County,” Hatchett said. “State leadership will continue to support our Law Enforcement, and I look forward to seeing these funds utilized for the safety of families in the 50th State Senate District. These direct resources to our officers help ensure they have the tools and personnel to continue to serve and protect.”
Hatchett is currently serving as the Governor’s Administration Floor Leader while also representing District 50, which covers areas in Commerce and Lula, all the way north to Hiawassee. He also sits on the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Children and Families, Ethics, Health and Human Services, Judiciary and Reapportionment and Redistricting Committees in the Georgia State Senate.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/6/1188354/sen-bo-hatchett-praises-gov-kemp-following-grants-to-stephens-county-commerce-pd