County Executive Sam Page signed a series of bills on Oct. 29, accepting $2.4 million in grants for the St. Louis County Police Department.
The funds will go towards the department’s ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence, drug trafficking, child exploitation and dangerous driving.
“Our residents tell us that public safety is their top priority, and I understand that,” Page said. “By far, the largest percentage of our tax dollars in our budget each year goes to public safety. We’re committed to a police department that is well-equipped and is successful in combating all of the complex questions that challenge public safety.”
The first bill Page signed awarded St. Louis County $268,200 to support the salaries and benefits for three police detectives in the domestic violence unit.
“October has been a domestic violence awareness month now for over 35 years. It’s really time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and to be more of a voice for the victims,” Page said. “On average, 20 people are victims of intimate partner violence every minute – that’s about 10 million people every year in the United States. It’s an astounding number.”
Page also signed a bill from the Missouri Department of Public Safety allocating $298,159 to support eight salaries for detectives assigned to the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, as well as a bill from the Office of National Drug Control Policy allocating $721,933 to support the St. Louis County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Task Force and other groups committed to reducing dangerous narcotics – including fentanyl – in the St. Louis County community.
Page next signed a bill from the Missouri DPS awarding St. Louis County $331,381 for the salaries and benefits of three detectives in charge of crimes that exploit children. The detectives are on the Special Investigative Unit Task Force.
Lastly, Page signed a bill from the Missouri Department of Transportation granting $787,976 to the county to focus on dangerous drivers, including those who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“At any town hall or community meeting that we go to, we hear about reckless drivers, cars racing through subdivisions and neighborhoods and other careless behavior,” Page said. “We know that this type of activity impacts the quality of life of our residents. It’s dangerous and it can lead to death. I’m glad to see these funds committed to these efforts.”
The bills were all signed at the new Affton-Southwest Police Precinct – the Officer Blake Snyder Building – located at 11500 Gravois Road.