Commission accepts $73,000 FDLE ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ grant for TPD; public criticizes police militarization

The City Commission voted unanimously to accept and expend about $73,000 in Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Project Safe Neighborhoods grant funds for the Tallahassee Police Department.

Deputy Chief Zaleski described three uses: overtime to target violent crime, training on how officers safely approach vehicles, and a roughly $11,000 purchase of a ballistic blanket for the vice/narcotics unit. When Commissioner Porter asked for more detail, Zaleski said the training is "how to approach vehicles when we think violent criminals or violent people are in there. Safely approach them and arrest them." The grant’s other component is overtime for violent‑crime reduction operations.

Juniper Curtis, speaking on behalf of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, urged the commission to reject the grant, calling it an element of police militarization that “increases TPD’s ability to employ violence against civilians, particularly black and brown people.” Curtis linked the funding to national concerns about militarized policing, asked for a civilian police review board and the end of TPD’s 287(g) relationship with ICE, and cited recent local deaths and cases she calls police violence.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions and voted 5–0 to accept the funding. No amendments or conditions were attached during the vote.

Ending: The city will administer the grant through TPD and proceed with the training and equipment purchases described; public criticism focused on accountability and oversight rather than the line‑item uses approved by the department.