KC Reporter

Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that 201 communities across Missouri have received the Missouri Blue Shield designation. This recognition is part of the Safer Missouri initiative and acknowledges the efforts of counties, cities, and towns in enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement.

The Blue Shield Program, established by Executive Order 25-03, allows these designated communities to access a $10 million fund for grants aimed at improving law enforcement training, equipment, and technology. "I’ve said from day one that improving public safety is the top priority of our administration," Governor Kehoe stated. He emphasized that all 201 Blue Shield communities can apply for funding through the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) to further bolster public safety.

The program's implementation follows the approval of Fiscal Year 2026 budget funding. Eligible expenditures include ballistic vests, body-worn cameras, security systems, gunshot detection technology, and crime analytics software. The $10 million will be distributed equally among approved applicants.

Mark James, Director of DPS, highlighted the strong response to the program: “We knew going into this that there was overwhelming support for law enforcement among Missourians... but the response to the Blue Shield Program has been even stronger than we anticipated.” Grant applications opened today as part of State Fiscal Year 2026.

Communities must maintain their commitments annually to retain their designation by reporting ongoing efforts to DPS. There will be opportunities for other communities to apply for future grants in 2026.

Eligibility criteria for designation included a commitment to reducing violent crime, investments in public safety funding, community policing initiatives or partnerships, recruitment programs for law enforcement officers, effectiveness in reducing crime or innovative crime reduction programs, participation in regional anti-crime task forces or willingness to do so in future efforts.