Fort Myers police just secured a fresh round of funding for 2026, and it’s a big step up for safety across the city.
They’re going after gun violence and drug trafficking, upping their game on the roads, and putting more focus on officer training, especially in crisis response and de-escalation. All this comes thanks to a mix of state and federal grants, plus money from the city’s own budget. City Council gave the green light at their first meeting of the year on January 5.
Here’s what’s new: Council approved three major tech subscriptions, starting with a three-year, $868,000 contract renewal with SoundThinking Inc. for the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. This setup covers four square miles of Fort Myers, tracking and pinpointing gunfire down to about 82 feet. When shots are fired, officers see real-time alerts, complete with exact coordinates and addresses, sent straight to dispatch, squad cars, and even their phones. And it’s more than just fast alerts; ShotSpotter gives prosecutors court-ready data, like how many shots were fired, the timing, and if more than one shooter was involved.
The Council also signed off on a five-year, $1,069,405 agreement with Mark43 Inc. for a cloud-based dispatch and records system. This keeps 911 calls, police dispatch, and other critical operations running smoothly. On top of that, there’s a $249,596 contract for annual radio support through Lee County Public Safety.
That’s just the tech side. Grant money is also fueling several other public safety efforts for 2026. The Department of Justice is chipping in $175,000 to help fight drug trafficking. This backs Operation SAFE, a program that targets opioid trafficking rings—especially those dealing fentanyl. The funds pay for detective overtime, a mass spectrometer for on-the-spot drug testing, and educational materials for the community, all in partnership with local health care and emergency services. The goal? Mix real-time investigative tech with public outreach for a bigger impact.
Another DOJ grant in the amount of $300,000 will fund crisis-response training across the whole department. Officers will get hands-on, evidence-based training in de-escalation, helping them make better decisions and communicate more clearly in tense situations. It’s about keeping both the public and officers safer when things get unpredictable.
The DOJ is also covering half the cost for new bulletproof vests, $43,680 in total. These vests, with five-year warranties, go to field staff, including both sworn officers and community service aides.
Finally, the Florida Department of Transportation is putting up $90,000 for the city’s Teen Highway Safety Initiative. That money covers overtime and benefits for traffic officers focused on teen driving, plus new speed-measuring gear to cut down on crashes and violations.
All said, the department is gearing up for a safer, smarter Fort Myers in 2026, with big investments in tech, training, and targeted public safety campaigns.
