The Board of County Commissioners established the Safe Neighborhood Program to address neighborhood crime and safety. Funding for this program is generated from fines through the Orange County Circuit Court ($50 for felonies, $20 for misdemeanors). The Safe Neighborhood Program is the funding source for Crime Prevention Grants.
This Crime Prevention Grant Program promotes the partnership between Orange County citizens and the Orange County Sheriff's Office and/or the applicants' local police department. Grants are provided to neighborhood organizations for projects designed to enhance safety, improve security, and address crime prevention in homes, businesses, and schools. Overall, these grants help to make Orange County neighborhoods a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.
Applications for this grant program are accepted on a year-round, first-come, first-serve basis. Safety & crime prevention grants are available to any organized neighborhood group located in Orange County (e.g. neighborhood watch groups, voluntary neighborhood organizations, homeowners association, condominium association, and neighborhood councils). This includes organizations located within all of Orange County's municipal jurisdictions such as Orlando, Winter Park, Ocoee, Apopka, etc... Non-profit organizations operating within Orange County are also eligible, but they must partner with a neighborhood group in order to apply.
Grants can be received for projects ranging from $500-$10,000. They can address issues such as:
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is an area of public safety planning that examines the relationship between physical environments and the incidence of crime. Following a CPTED Analysis by a trained crime prevention expert, neighborhoods can better develop strategies to address its vulnerability to crime. These strategies can include projects such as roadway modifications, improved street lighting, lot clearings and improved landscaping.
A public Safety grant allows neighborhoods to undergo a CPTED Analysis and to implement eligible recommendations to improve safety within certain geographically defined boundaries. To be eligible, neighborhoods must define the geographical boundaries of the area to be analyzed. This award is made annually to four neighborhoods (one neighborhood per quarter) on a competitive basis. Awards are based on demonstration of need.
Demonstrated need includes the following:
Increase in crimes as documented by Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO)
OCSO crime statistics. Documented crimes can include auto burglary residential burglary, armed robbery, strong-armed robbery, and property
Destruction/vandalism/graffiti, as shown by crime statistics from OCSO
Perception of neighborhood as a dangerous place. This can be demonstrated with a neighborhood survey implemented by neighborhood residents
Falling property values as evidenced by the Orange County Property Appraisers, or statistics from real estate research firms or realtors
Safety training includes projects that increase a citizen's capability to handle situations that pose a threat to the health and safety of individuals or neighborhoods. Neighborhoods can organize safety training sessions or events in conjunction with appropriate agencies or consultants. Neighborhoods sponsoring such events can also apply for funds to purchase items to give away at the event.
Personal safety activities include:
Youth swimming lessons & water safety (including home pool safety training)
Self-defense classes
Youth escape schools
Bike safety rodeos
Fire safety training
Defensive driving courses
Safety celebrations, such as National Night Out (excluding food and drinks)
Public safety supplies include funding for signs, caps, safety vests, logo shirts and/or flashlights for neighborhoods with established community crime watch groups. These must be groups sanctioned by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, such as Citizens on Patrol (COPS) or a Neighborhood Watch.
Neighborhoods must demonstrate the need for funding under this category (i.e. the neighborhood organization has not budgeted funds, thereby relying on volunteers to pay out of pocket.) However, communities should not rely on crime prevention funds to support long-term program needs. These should be one-time start up funds.
Home safety items. These items will only be distributed if they accompany training activities/courses and include:
The Crime Prevention funding category can be used to purchase items that educate and raise awareness of crime prevention and safety, with the goal of deterring crime. The items must be distributed at a community event or community meeting that incorporates a crime prevention and safety educational component conducted by an expert in the field. This grant typically will range from $500-$1,000 per neighborhood, per year, depending on the goal of the neighborhood. Eligible give-away items include:
Vehicle theft prevention and safety devices such as:
Steering wheel lock
Vehicle window etching of VIN
Theft deterrent decals
Bicycle locks
Bicycle lights and/or reflectors
Bicycle horns
Bicycle helmets
Pedestrian and cyclists reflective safety vests
Self-defense and personal safety items (non-chemical and non-sharp devices) such as:
The Disaster Planning funding category can be used to prepare citizens for emergencies and to raise awareness of natural disasters. Disaster planning will enable neighborhoods to make the safety of individuals and families a high priority.
Disaster planning allows individuals or families to survive or remain safe in the event law enforcement, emergency personnel, or other assistance are not readily available. Disaster planning training must be held at a time and a location convenient for neighborhood residents to attend.
The Grant Selection Committee, comprised of County staff members, reviews and scores the applications. Then, the Neighborhood Grant Advisory Board (NGAB), a seven-member citizen panel, oversees the grants from selection of winners to project completion. The NGAB meets once a month to conduct its duties. Board members review applications and conduct site visits. The Crime Prevention Grant Criteria document is provided via the following link:
If your organization is interested in applying for a Crime Prevention Grant, please contact the Orange County Neighborhood Services Division to speak with the Crime Prevention Grant Coordinator at 407-836-5606.
Neighborhood Services 
