More than $1.3 million distributed between 22 agencies to fight crime
MIDWEST CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today announced the recipients of the 2017 Safe Oklahoma Grant, which distributed more than $1.3 million between 22 statewide law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement officials joining General Hunter at the announcement were Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes, Moore Assistant Chief Todd Strickland, Spencer Police Chief Allen Lane and Lincoln County Sheriff Charles Dougherty. The three agencies received 2017 grant money and spoke on what the additional resources would be used for.
Attorney General Hunter said the funds will help the agencies directly target crime in their communities, upgrade antiquated equipment or purchase new resources.
“One of the first steps to making communities safer is to help our law enforcement partners by providing additional resources for better equipment or to fund innovative strategies on community outreach,” Attorney General Hunter said. “This grant has proven to have a tremendous impact in reducing crime across the state.”
The program works by allowing law enforcement agencies to submit proposals to the attorney general’s office stating how the funds will be used to reduce crime. Grants are awarded on a one year basis.
Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes said in the last three years his agency has seen the crime rate in Midwest City drop substantially.
“The grant has made a significant difference in the way we are able to protect the public,” Clabes said. “We have been able to make much needed improvements in all areas from purchasing new equipment, to paying more officers overtime to patrol in areas we know are trouble spots. The physical presence of having an extra patrol car or an officer on foot is one of the best crime deterrents.”
Attorney General Hunter said the grant continues to help both rural and metro-area agencies with basic policing necessities as well as advanced technology to gain intelligence on gang violence.
“Each department faces unique challenges depending on location,” Attorney General Hunter said. “Earlier this year, Tulsa Police Department mobilized a 50 officer unit to take down a drug and weapons ring with the help of grant money. If you go across the state to Altus, they need money to upgrade radios that are 15-years-old. Each need is different, but they all are necessary to fight crime.
“It is an honor to distribute the money across the state to protect Oklahomans.”
2017 Grant Recipients and Amount Received:
- Altus Police Department – $86,270
- Broken Arrow Police Department – $39,323
- Delaware County Sheriff’s Office – $46,460.57
- Durant Police Department – $53,844.14
- Hugo Police Department – $17,193.95
- Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – $6,440
- Midwest City Police Department – $45,000
- Moore Police Department – $50,000
- Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office – $48,800
- Newcastel Police Department – $10,740
- Oklahoma City Police Department – $371,500
- Owasso Police Department – $36,232
- Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office – $35,000
- Pushmataha County Sheriff’s Office – $30,000
- Seminole County Sheriff’s Office – $25,000
- Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office – $35,000
- Spencer Police Department – $30,000
- Tahlequah Police Department – $20,000
- Tulsa Police Department – $296,500
- Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office – $32,925
- Webber Falls Police Department – $20,000
- Woods County Sheriff’s Office – $35,392
From left: Spencer Chief Allen Lane, Midwest City Chief Brandon Clabes, Lincoln County Sheriff Charles Dougherty, Attorney General Mike Hunter and Moore Assistant Chief Todd Strickland disciss how the resources wll help law enforcement better protect each community.
Attorney General Mike Hunter talks about the importance of the Safe Oklahoma Grant during a media availability at the Midwest City Police Department.
About the Safe Oklahoma Grant Program
The Safe Oklahoma Grant Program was created in 2012 by the Oklahoma Legislature through House Bill 3052. The legislation directs appropriation be made fully available at the end of each fiscal year to the Attorney General’s Office to distribute to local law enforcement agencies and sheriff’s departments.
After the applications are reviewed, the grants are made on an annual basis. Grants are awarded on a one-year period and continued funding is not guaranteed. Applicants must include the city’s violent crime rate for the previous five years.
