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Emporia Council accepts state grants for auto-theft training and Operation Ceasefire programs totaling $390,000
Summary
Council accepted a $5,000 HEAT training grant and two DCJS Operation Ceasefire awards (one $175,000, one $210,000) to fund training, analytic tools, and two part‑time Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialist positions; all appropriations passed unanimously.
The Emporia City Council on Jan. 20 authorized acceptance and appropriation of three state grants supporting police training and violence‑reduction work.
City Manager William E. Johnson III reported a $5,000 Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) training grant from the Virginia State Police for specialized auto‑theft investigation training; the grant requires no local match and staff asked to appropriate it to Line Item 5540 (Convention and Education). Councilman Mark S. Lilly moved the appropriation; Councilwoman Carol Mercer seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Johnson also reported two awards through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Operation Ceasefire Program. The first is $175,000 in state special funds for forensic and analytical technology, data‑driven policing strategies, and regional intelligence sharing for the grant period Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2027. The second DCJS award is $210,000 for Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028 intended to fund two part‑time Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialist positions (salaries, FICA, training). Both grants require no local match and designate the City of Emporia as subgrantee; Council authorized reappropriation of the funds as requested. Motions to accept and appropriate both grants passed by unanimous roll-call votes.
Council discussion confirmed there was no required local match for either DCJS award. Staff recorded that the $175,000 award was to be appropriated to Line Item 3320 (Maintenance Service Contracts); the $210,000 award was to be appropriated for personnel and related costs to support the Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialist roles.
No votes or conditions attached to the grants were reported beyond the appropriations; Council did not discuss specific hiring timelines at the meeting and indicated staff would manage implementation within the Police Department.
