Sen. Ossoff Delivering Federal Resources to Strengthen Public Safety in Columbus

Sen. Ossoff is delivering $119,051 in grant funding through the U.S. Department of Justice to the Columbus Consolidated Government to purchase new equipment for various public safety divisions and establish a new emergency notification system for families and businesses in the event of disasters.

“I am pleased to help deliver these public safety upgrades for Columbus and the Chattahoochee River Valley. I remain committed to public safety for every community in Georgia,” Sen. Ossoff said.

“The JAG Grant has been an incredibly valuable resource to ensure the safety of our public safety officers and first responders as they safeguard our citizens. We are grateful for our partnership with Senator Ossoff’s office as they continue to help us protect those who protect others,” said Mayor B. H. “Skip” Henderson III.

“The JAG program has been very beneficial in supporting our Fire Investigations efforts,” Columbus Fire-EMS Chief Sal Scarpa said. “Program proceeds have been utilized to enhance our operational response to fire investigations and support the personal safety of our investigators.”

The Consolidated Government will use the Federal funding to purchase new ballistic vests for the Columbus Fire/EMS Department to support the safety of their fire investigators; to purchase new protective vests for the Muscogee County jail personnel; and to acquire new K-9 packages to support new units for the Columbus Police Department, which currently only has 1 K-9 unit.  

The Consolidated Government will also use the Federal funds to develop and implement an early warning smartphone app for emergency notification of citizens and businesses in the event of natural or man-made disasters.

Sen. Ossoff continues working to strengthen public safety across the Chattahoochee River Valley.

In October, Sen. Ossoff delivered $133,917 through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program to coordinate Federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts and help reduce violent crime in Columbus and across Middle and Southwest Georgia.

In August, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock delivered $315,757.89 to the Columbus Consolidated Government to upgrade fire equipment, train firefighters, advance fire safety research, and more.