SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Sioux Falls is getting a $250,000 federal grant to help pay for two additional police officers over three years.
Police Chief Matt Burns says it's a "big win" for the city, but will cover only part of the cost.
"The COPS grant does not pay for the entire salaries for those officers," Chief Burns tells KELO Radio, "Its prorated across those three years, so eventually the city will have to end up taking on the full burden, if you will, of the wages and benefits of those officers."
Sioux Falls is getting a chunk of some $119 million in grants that the the Obama Justice Department is distributing to 184 law enforcement agencies nationwide. Rapid City will be getting $375,000.
Chief Burns says the grant money will help fund the city's struggle against increasing crime.
"This additional support from the COPS program, via the federal government, helps us support the public safety and fight those things we see increases on in Sioux Falls." Burns and other city officials spent all last week, highlighting the impact the meth epidemic has on the crime rate in Sioux Falls.
The grant will help the police department get up to a total of 256 sworn officers.