The Ocala Police Department is committed to keeping our community safe. We're actively pursuing several grant opportunities to enhance public safety, reduce crime, and support vital community programs.

For fiscal year 2025/2026, we are pursuing the following grants:

• Bicycle Pedestrian Program -Promotes the safety of non-motorized commuters through education and enforcement focused on bicycle and pedestrian regulations.

• Bulletproof Vest Program -This grant provides critical funding to equip law enforcement officers with life-saving body armor, enhancing their safety and protection during high-risk situations.

• Distracted Driving Program (Florida Department of Transportation- FDOT) -This grant supports initiatives to reduce distracted driving-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities through rider education, awareness campaigns, and high visibility enforcement.

• DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) -Funds specialized training for officers to identify drivers under the influence of controlled substances, enhancing the agency's ability to remove impaired drivers from the road.

• FY 25 Local Justice Assistance Grant (Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance) - Funding will support overtime, supplies, and equipment for our community programming.

• Impaired Driving Program - Supports high-visibility enforcement and public awareness campaigns specifically aimed at reducing alcohol and drug-related traffic fatalities and injuries.

• JAG24 - Countywide (Florida Department of Law Enforcement -FDLE)- Funding facilitates the purchase of a specialized collaboration table for the Real Time Crime Center, serving as a central hub for data integration and tactical decision-making.

• Luteran Services Foundation grant -Funds a full-time Chaplain dedicated to the mental health, spiritual support, and overall wellness of agency members.

• SAFE (State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication - FDLE) Provides specialized resources and funding in partnership with FDLE to combat the fentanyl crisis through aggressive interdiction and investigative efforts.

• Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant - Focuses on improving traffic crash data reporting (DFR) and reducing emergency response times to enhance overall roadway safety.

• Spark Good Local Grant - A community-focused grant that supports various local outreach programs and neighborhood engagement initiatives.

• Speed and Aggressive Driving (Florida Department of Transportation- FDOT) - This grant supports initiatives to combat speed and aggressive driving, promoting safer roads and protecting vulnerable road users through high visibility enforcement and community engagement.

• State Homeland Security Program Grant Funding - Supports specialized equipment and training to enhance the agency’s ability to prevent, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

• Teen Driver Program -  Supports educational initiatives and hands-on training to help young drivers develop safe habits and reduce teen-involved traffic incidents.

• US Marshal Joint Task Force - Provides funding for collaborative operations with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and apprehend violent fugitives, sex offenders, and other high-priority targets.VOCA -Funds a full-time Victim's Advocate position. This grant will enable our agency to deliver comprehensive support to victims of crime, promoting healing, safety, and justice.

For requests for information please contact:

Ocala Police Department

402 South Pine Avenue

Ocala, Florida 34471-2180

Attn: LaFayetta Hodges, Grants & Sustainability Coordinator

Public comment:  Please follow the link Public Notices | City of Ocala