Swearingen Announces Sub. House Bill 169 Grants $250 Million Law Enforcement and First Responders

COLUMBUS– State Representative D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) Monday held a press conference announcing Sub. House Bill 169, of which he is a sponsor. This bill will provide $250 million in grants for law enforcement and first responders throughout Ohio. The funding will be allocated to state and local first responder agencies. Representative Swearingen was joined by law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and other first responders.

$75 million will be allocated to: 

• Attract recruits that also include creative methods to strengthen the public safety workforce
• Create wellness initiatives for law enforcement and first responders to mitigate the significant mental and physical impact of their job
• Invest in technology to increase cybersecurity to protect critical infrastructure
   

$175 million will be allocated to: 

• Support responses to violent crime and violence related to drug trafficking
• Invest in technology and equipment to allow law enforcement to respond to violent crime
• Reduce backlogs in state and local crime laboratories 
   

“It is an honor to joint sponsor substitute House Bill 169 which provides necessary funding to our first responders and law enforcement that will, in turn, help them as they keep our communities safe and keep crime off the streets,” said Swearingen.