(WSIL) --Governor Mike Parsonannounced the state of Missouri has approved more than $1.8 million in grant assistance to 19 agencies across the state to investigate and prosecute crimes that victimized children.
“Criminals who victimize children must be investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice, no matter when they commit these heinous crimes,”Governor Parsonsaid. “The rise in crimes reported against children during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strains on agencies that detect, investigate, and prosecute those criminals made it clear that local agencies could use additional assistance. We are pleased to make these funds available to help protect our children and remove criminals from the streets.”�
The following organizations have been offered awards that will begin on October 1, 2021, for the Missouri Crimes Against Children/Sex Crimes COVID-19 Funding Opportunity, administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety:
- Boone County Cyber Task Force, $45,240.55
- Butler County Prosecutor’s Office, $104,900.00
- Christian County Prosecutor’s Office, $215,286.03
- Christian County Sheriff’s Office, $66,585.13
- Clever Police Department, $22,020.00
- Houston Police Department, $11,204.00
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, $57,920.00
- Lincoln County Prosecutor’s Office, $300,000.00
- Missouri State Highway Patrol, $50,176.00
- New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, $76,818.00
- Nixa Police Department, $74,700.00
- Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, $191,905.00
- Platte County Prosecutor’s Office, $119,152.24
- Platte County Sheriff’s Office, $66,938.02
- Sikeston Department of Public Safety, $10,500.00
- Francois County Prosecutor and Sheriff’s Offices, $173,150.32
- St. Louis County Cyber Task Force, $114,684.84
- Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, $31,260.00
- Wright County Sheriff’s Office, $76,489.92
Eligible expenses include hiring additional investigators and prosecutors, training, and computer software and equipment utilized to investigate crimes against children.
