SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The State of Ohio is awarding a total of $351,321 to three police departments in Mahoning County.

Governor Mike DeWine announced on Monday grants of $281,800 to Austintown Township Police; $18,000 to Milton Township Police; and $51,521 to the Sebring Police Department.

The grants are a portion of $3.9 million awarded to 16 law enforcement agencies around the state to help them combat violence in their communities through the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program.

The grants will pay for retention bonuses to help maintain current law enforcement staffing levels, recruit new officers, and continue ongoing public safety services to prevent and investigate violent crime.

"By providing this support, we're helping our peace officers proactively prevent violence, and we're also helping law enforcement maintain the staffing levels they need to protect our communities,” said Governor DeWine.