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Parkland first responders to receive $1M for salary, overtime expenses

The money will help defray millions spent by the State of Florida, the City of Parkland and Broward County in responding to the tragedy, including securing crime scenes and operating command centers.

WASHINGTON - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will receive a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to cover salary and overtime expenses related to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School on Valentine's Day.

The money will help defray millions spent by the State of Florida, the City of Parkland and Broward County in responding to the tragedy, including securing crime scenes and operating command centers.

“The school shooting in Parkland shocked and horrified the nation, but the community and law enforcement at all levels have shown resilience and determination,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. “As I told our state and local partners back in February, the Department of Justice stands ready to help them in any way we can. Today we offer $1 million to support the police who have been working overtime in the aftermath of this tragedy. They can be sure about this: we have their backs.”

The funds will be distributed from the DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance, which provides funding to address "precipitous or extraordinary increases" in crimes, including mass shootings.

17 people were killed in the attack. The accused shooter, Nikolas Cruz, 19, was arrested about an hour after the incident.

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