East Texas, December 14, 2021: The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $3.5 million in grants from the Governor’s Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits. The Governor’s Public Safety Office administers federal and state grant funding to promote strategies that improve public safety, support victims of crime, prevent terrorism, and prepare communities for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Texans.
ETCOG’s Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually. Applications to be submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and Homeland Security Advisory Committee, which includes local subject matter experts from across the region.
The Governor’s Office has approved a total of $3,522,032.72 for funding the Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, Juvenile Assistance, and Homeland Security grants in East Texas.
Victims of Crime Act Funds – $2,576,595.44
The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and to navigate the justice system.