Florence, AZ – On Monday, August 7, Florence Vice-Mayor Johnie Mendoza and Police Chief Bruce Walls joined Governor Katie Hobbs, area police chiefs, and elected officials from around Pinal County at a border security event and discussion in Casa Grande.
During the gathering, Governor Hobbs and Chief Walls announced the allocation of a substantial grant totaling $1,264,498 to the Town of Florence from the Arizona Department of Emergency & Military Affairs’ (AZDEMA) Border Technology Fund. This funding will be directed toward upgrading the town’s public safety communications equipment, which will enhance officer safety while ensuring the town remains one of the safest communities in Arizona.
In his statement following the Governor’s remarks, Chief Walls expressed his gratitude for the award stating, ” First, let me thank Governor Hobbs and her staff for having these critical conversations about crime coming from across the border and how it affects our communities. It is because of these conversations that Governor Hobbs has awarded the Town of Florence 1.2 million dollars in grant funding to upgrade our dispatch consoles and mobile radios. It is crucial that our first responders can communicate effectively while fighting crime associated with our border.”
The timeline for receiving these grant funds and purchasing the equipment is in progress and will be announced at a later date.
The Town of Florence would like to thank Governor Hobbs and the AZDEMA for their commitment to enhancing public safety and ensuring the well-being of our first responders and community.