SCSO issues release on awarded $1.2 million public safety grant
By Jessica Waters
On June 27, Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley issued a press release regarding the $1.2 million public safety grant awarded to the Sheriff’s Office.
Shirley stated that, since the COVID pandemic and subsequent withdrawal of workers from essential public sector jobs, the Sheriff’s Office has experienced declines in employment, falling wages that struggle to compete with employment opportunities in other sectors, and serious challenges recruiting new employees.
He added that falling wages and lack of support for law enforcement is resulting in nationwide difficulties in recruiting deputies and jail staff.
Shirley stated in the press release that his office applied for the Public Safety & Community Violence Reduction Act Grant in an attempt to gain outside funding to help increase both patrol and jail staff, as well as “additional incentives for training and education for current and prospective employees.”
While the awarding of the grant provides funding, Shirley pointed out that “there are stringent guidelines in place to govern the distribution of these funds. There are also strict reporting requirements.”
The distribution of grant funds is withheld until certain requirements are met, he explained, stating, “To receive the funds, thorough documentation must be provided to the state to prove reimbursement eligibility. The governor’s office then reviews the documentation to ensure proper usage of the funding.”
Due to time constraints, some of the awarded funding may not be used, Shirley stated, adding that “The preliminary award is for 1.185 million dollars in funding, but time constraints may only enable the sheriff’s office to use some grant funds by the grants’ expiration time of October 2026. There are no guarantees of specific dollar amounts and time frames to receive financing. This is a reimbursement-only program.”
Shirley said that demands on the Sheriff’s Office continue to increase, and said that “In 2022 alone, the Sheriff’s Office responded to over 28,000 calls for service and completed over 1,900 transports. During the same year, the Stephens County Jail had an average of 169 inmates and experienced a 71% critical shortfall in jail staff. The Uniform Patrol, at one point, was challenged by a 50% decline in staffing.”
Shirley pointed out that the Sheriff’s Office also provided staffing for courthouse security and school security, which increases the demands on staffing.
Shirley closed the press release with an invitation for citizens to contact the office with any questions regarding the grant, stating, “The Sheriff’s Office will be happy to provide a list, upon request, of approved expenditures under the guidelines of this program. We welcome any questions regarding this grant or any fiscal concerns of the citizens. For any questions, comments, or concerns, please email: [email protected] “