Several area communities have received Missouri Blue Shield designations already in 2026.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety has approved 15 Missouri communities as 2026 Missouri Blue Shield communities, making them the first designated for the second year of the program and eligible for state grants to boost law enforcement equipment and/or training. To achieve the designation, communities must demonstrate their commitment to enhancing public safety, strengthening support for law enforcement, and building sustainable public safety partnerships.

The first communities in the KMMO listening area to be recognized include the cities of Moberly and Odessa; as well as Johnson County. The cities of Arnold, Ballwin, Dexter, Gerald, Ironton, Maryland Heights, Peculiar, Sikeston, Washburn; and the counties of Maries, Marion and Oregon also achieved the designation. Each of these communities also earned the Blue Shield designation in 2025.

Last year, 201 Missouri communities achieved the Blue Shield designation, making each of them eligible for $50,000 grants for law enforcement equipment and training. Governor Mike Kehoe’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget once again includes $10 million for grants.

Equipment the state grants funded in 2025 included 388 mobile data terminals, 351 body cameras, 151 license plate readers, 102 ballistic vests, 91 interoperable radios, and 56 vehicles. A map of 2025 Missouri Blue Shield communities and a list of those jurisdictions is available here.