Fort Myers Police Department will receive new funding in 2026 to combat gun violence and drug trafficking, improve roadway safety and expand officer training in crisis response and de-escalation tactics.
City Council approved a series of law enforcement initiatives at its Jan. 5 meeting, the first regular meeting of the year. The programs are funded through a combination of state and federal grants and the city’s budget.
Council approved three subscription services, including a three-year, $868,000 renewal with SoundThinking Inc. for its ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. The acoustic surveillance technology monitors a 4-square-mile area of Fort Myers to identify, verify and locate gunfire. According to SoundThinking, sensors collect acoustic data while software triangulates the location of gunfire within about 82 feet.
The system alerts officers to shootings in progress with real-time data, including latitude, longitude and a street address, delivered to dispatch centers, patrol vehicles and smartphones. It also provides court-admissible forensic data, such as the number of shots fired, the exact timing and whether multiple shooters were involved.
Council also approved a five-year, $1,069,405 contract with Mark43 Inc. for its computer-aided dispatch and records management system. The cloud-based platform supports 911 call handling, dispatch and other mission-critical police operations. In addition, Council approved a $249,596.16 contract for annual radio support services with Lee County Public Safety.
Grant funding also will support several public safety initiatives in 2026. The department received $175,000 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to combat drug trafficking networks. The funding supports Operation SAFE, a program aimed at dismantling opioid trafficking operations, particularly those involving fentanyl, according to city staff.
The grant will fund detective overtime, a mass spectrometer for field-based drug identification and community prevention and education materials in partnership with Lee County Emergency Medical Services and local health care providers. The program combines real-time investigative technology with public outreach efforts.
A resident addresses Fort Myers City Council during a Jan. 5 meeting at City Hall. Council approved several public safety initiatives funded through state and federal grants.
Evan Williams
Another DOJ grant of $300,000 will fund agencywide crisis-response training. The department said the funding addresses a critical need for standardized instruction in de-escalation and crisis response tactics, providing officers with structured, evidence-based steps to safely resolve volatile situations. The training focuses on improving decision-making, communication and community outcomes.
The DOJ also awarded the department funding to cover half of the $43,680 cost of new bulletproof vests. The vests, which carry five-year warranties, will be issued to field personnel, including sworn officers and community service aides.
In addition, the Florida Department of Transportation awarded the department a $90,000 grant for its Teen Highway Safety Initiative. The funding will pay for overtime wages and benefits for traffic officers working to reduce crashes and driving violations among teen drivers, along with speed-measurement equipment.