The United States Department of Justice has awarded Citrus County $5,375,000 through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP).

These funds will be used to hire 43 new deputies. Nationwide, nearly $217 million in federal funds were distributed to 394 agencies as part of the CHP for the hiring of 1,730 to increase community policing capacity and help reduce crime. Citrus County was among the top five highest awards in the entire country. Citrus County is a rapidly growing community and has seen a population explosion of 65 percent over the preceding three decades. In multiple staffing analyses, data revealed that the county is grossly understaffed in law enforcement personnel to support its current population and the volume of calls for service received.

“While I am no proponent of big government spending, and I am actively working to rein in Washington’s reckless behavior, I do have a duty to ensure my community receives its fair share of allocated federal resources, said U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. “It is important for me to be transparent about my efforts to prioritize important community needs and provide targeted support. In a time when the Sheriff’s Office is understaffed, these desperately needed funds will help give Sheriff Prendergast the tools he needs to keep our community safe. He and his team do a remarkable job with limited resources, and I am confident these resources will enable them to expand their efforts.”

“I am extremely humbled that Citrus County was able to receive the funding to hire 43 new deputies,” said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “The fact that this funding was provided to us drives home the point that we have a great need here in Citrus County. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of Congressman Bilirakis and the support of the United States Department of Justice, we are now able to spearhead our five-year plan to address our immediate staffing concerns and set the conditions to provide excellence in public safety.”