FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OH – The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office is among 48 law enforcement agencies statewide to receive funding as part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s latest push to combat violent crime. A total of more than $3 million in grants was announced this week through the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program.
Fairfield County will receive $78,000 in grant funding to support local efforts aimed at reducing violent crime. The funding may be used for enhanced technology, overtime for investigative work, targeted patrols in high-crime areas, and other public safety initiatives.
“From high-tech tools to boots-on-the-ground enforcement, these strategies are focused on making Ohio’s communities safer,” Governor DeWine said. “We’re proud to support our local agencies as they work every day to protect residents.”
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel also emphasized the grant’s impact on Ohio families. “When we support our law enforcement, we’re also supporting stronger, safer communities where families can thrive,” he said.
This is the 14th round of funding distributed since the program’s launch in 2021. In total, the grant program has awarded more than $84 million to nearly 200 agencies across Ohio. Funding comes from the state’s 2024–2025 operating budget.
Fairfield County joins a diverse group of recipients in this latest round, which includes both large urban departments and smaller village police forces. Some of the other awards include:
- Dayton Police Department: $400,000
- Garfield Heights Police Department: $450,000 for a drone-based emergency response program
- Solon Police Department: $68,830.20 to support anti-human trafficking operations
- South Bloomfield Police Department (Pickaway County): $12,000
Fairfield County Sheriff Alex Lape said the funds will go a long way toward enhancing the department’s ability to respond to violent incidents and keep residents safe.
“Our deputies work hard every day to serve the people of Fairfield County,” Lape said. “This grant will help us continue to modernize our operations and respond more effectively when violence threatens our communities.”
