Submitted

The City of Trenton has officially earned the Missouri Blue Shield designation for 2026.

The honor recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing public safety, investing in and supporting law enforcement, and building partnerships between law enforcement and the community. Trenton also received a Blue Shield designation in 2025.

The Missouri Blue Shield Program was created by Gov. Mike Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03. In 2025, 201 Missouri communities earned the Blue Shield designation, recognizing significant efforts by local governments to reduce crime and strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The opportunity to earn the 2026 designation opened Feb. 4, 2026. Communities that received the designation in 2025 were required to reapply this year for approval again.

“The Blue Shield program has shown what’s possible when communities commit to prioritizing law enforcement and public safety,” Kehoe said. “After awarding $50,000 grants to more than 200 communities last year, we’re continuing that work by welcoming new communities and renewing Blue Shield designations for counties, towns and cities that remain committed to the program.”

“Strengthening public safety and committing to joint law enforcement and community-citizen safety efforts is what the Blue Shield Program is all about, and the Department of Public Safety is honored to work with communities like Trenton that have answered the Blue Shield challenge,” said Mark James, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety. “Last year, the essential equipment provided by Blue Shield grants included 388 mobile data terminals, 351 body cameras, 151 license plate readers, 102 ballistic vests, 91 interoperable radios and 56 vehicles. We look forward to getting additional important equipment and training to our partners in local law enforcement.”

“Receiving the designation of a Missouri Blue Shield Community provides resources necessary to enhance training and equipment for our dedicated law enforcement personnel,” Mayor Jackie Soptic said. “The City of Trenton supports our law enforcement and public safety staff, and we are proud to receive this designation and the much-needed resources it provides.”

“Together we can do more,” Police Chief Rex Ross said. “We continue to seek ways to work with the community to solve problems and make life in Trenton better. The support of the mayor, the City Council and the community is paramount in these efforts. We are proud to be recognized within the Blue Shield Program in 2026.”

Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment is reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals.

Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Kehoe’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2027, provided the General Assembly approves the funding. The governor’s fiscal year 2027 budget appropriated $10 million to the program for equipment and training grants. Communities also will be featured on Kehoe’s social media pages and on the Department of Public Safety website to highlight their participation in the program.

Trenton earned the Missouri Blue Shield designation because of its commitment to public safety. Through officer recruitment and retention efforts, continued law enforcement funding, and partnerships with community stakeholders, the city demonstrated an ongoing commitment to protecting its residents. The designation affirms Trenton’s efforts to create a safer and more secure environment for all who live and work there.