BALTIMORE, MD—The Department of Justice has awarded more than $12.3 million to help public safety agencies in Maryland respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19, as part of the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program.

“Law enforcement and public safety officials are facing extraordinary challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “These resources will help support their efforts to promote public safety during this difficult time.”

The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has funded grants on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs, and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding.

Of the 14 counties and nine municipalities in Maryland that were candidates for funding, four have already received grants—Baltimore County, Cumberland, Allegany County, and the City of Cambridge. In addition, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services has received a grant of more than $11 million to assist Maryland State agencies and other law enforcement entities that did not directly receive FY 2019 Byrne Grants.

The Department is moving quickly to award the remaining $5.4 million in available grant funding in Maryland, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.