WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Mayor Sandra Adkins today announced Plain City has been awarded a JAG LE Grant, a Bureau of Justice Assistance federal block grant, administered by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. The JAG Program provides local governments with funding to support law enforcement activities.

“Congressman Stivers’ office quickly took action to assist us following our call for help as the fallout from a bad economy converged with other budget concerns to put us in a precarious financial situation.” Adkins said.  “We are grateful for the support of his office and their willingness to step up and help make things happen for Plain City.”

To address a tough budget, the village of Plain City reduced staff including one full-time and two part-time police officers.  In addition to the loss of staff, the village had no funding to allocate for over-time, putting additional strain on resources and the remaining officers. 

“It was an honor to help Plain City with this grant,” Stivers said. “Now more than ever it is important for our local communities for local and federal officials to work together to get things done. I hope the grant will help the Plain City Police Department better protect the community.”

Stivers’ Office worked with Plain City officials to research and submit the grant.  Specifically, the village received a $4,000 JAG LE Grant, which will go toward officer over-time hours to get officers out on the streets.

“Plain City, as with many other municipalities around Ohio, is suffering from the financial strain of the economic downturn our nation is experiencing,” said Mayor Adkins. “The influx of dollars that will be awarded from the JAG grant will help to alleviate a little of the strain on our police budget and for that we are grateful.”