Governor Mike Kehoe announced 15 Missouri counties, cities, and towns as the first to have earned Missouri Blue Shield designations. To achieve this designation, Missouri communities must demonstrate their commitment to enhancing public safety, strengthening support for law enforcement, and building sustainable public safety partnerships.

The Blue Shield Program, as outlined in Executive Order 25-03, is part of the Governor’s Safer Missouri initiative announced on his first day in office. Achieving the Blue Shield designation allows communities to access state grants for law enforcement training and equipment as Kehoe continues to work with the General Assembly to make $10 million in grant funding available for this program.

Some of the area communities that have already earned designations include Johnson County, the City of Warrensburg, and the City of Sedalia. The other communities include Jefferson County, Arnold, Carter County, Miller County, Kennett, Branson, Desloge, Cole County, Grandview, Vinita Park, Greenwood, and Town and Country.

Other area communities have expressed interest in achieving the designation. Higginsville City Administrator Jeanette Dobson says the Board of Aldermen recently passed a resolution demonstrating commitment to public safety and the reduction of violent crime in an effort to achieve the Missouri Blue Shield Designation.

Blue Shield counties, cities, and towns must maintain their commitments each year to retain the Blue Shield designation via annual reporting on their ongoing efforts to support public safety to DPS. Once local governments are approved for a Blue Shield designation, they will receive a public relations toolkit to showcase their community’s commitment to public safety.