LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The City of Chillicothe and Livingston County have been honored with the Missouri Blue Shield designation, recognizing their commitment to enhancing public safety through crime reduction, law enforcement collaboration, and community partnerships.

Established by Governor Mike Kehoe in January via executive order, the Missouri Blue Shield Program acknowledges local governments that demonstrate significant efforts in fostering safer communities. The Chillicothe Police Department and the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office received the designation this week.

Chillicothe Police Chief Jon Maples emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving this recognition, stating that it validates the department’s collaborative approach to community safety. Sheriff Dustin Woelfle of Livingston County echoed this sentiment, noting that the designation affirms the county’s dedication to creating a secure environment for residents and visitors alike.

“This only happens when we have strong partnerships with our community, local government, and other organizations. I want to thank the community for helping us obtain this,” Maples said.

As part of the Blue Shield designation, both the city and county will become eligible for public safety grants, providing additional resources to support their ongoing efforts in law enforcement and community engagement.