The Mahoning county sheriff's department received a big state grant to help them fight crime in the valley, including human trafficking.

The $632,652 grant is part of the American Rescue Plan.
The grant is to meant to help police agencies prevent and solve crimes in communities that have experienced an increase in violence or have faced difficulties combating violence during the pandemic.

Sheriff Jerry Greene says he also plans to use the money to help retain deputies.

"All the agencies in Mahoning County have been having a difficult in retention of officers and a lot of that has to do with pay. We find that our people are leaving to go to other agencies that pay more," said Greene.

Sheriff Greene says about half of the grant would be used to help fund human trafficking task forces within the county.