Congressman Mario Díaz Balart Delivers Nearly $1 Million to Support Law Enforcement in the Village of Virginia Gardens and the City of Miami Springs

March 30, 2026 Press Release MIAMI SPRINGS, FL - Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation, presented a $450,000 check to the Village of Virginia Gardens for law enforcement technology upgrades and $500,000 to the City of Miami Springs to upgrade six Sport Utility Vehicles. Image Congressman Díaz-Balart said, “Ensuring the safety of our communities starts with giving the brave men and women in blue the resources they need to carry out their mission effectively. I’m proud to deliver this funding to the Village of Virginia Gardens Police Department to support critical technology upgrades, equipping personnel with the modern tools and infrastructure needed to protect and serve. I’m also proud to have secured funding for the City of Miami Springs Police Department for the replacement and modernization of its marked patrol fleet, providing officers with reliable, up-to-date vehicles equipped with the latest public safety technology. Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day to keep our neighborhoods safe, and the least we can do is make sure they have the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently. I am grateful for the leadership of Village of Virginia Gardens Mayor Spencer Deno IV and Police Chief Ray Hernandez, as well as City of Miami Springs Mayor Walter Fajet and Police Chief Matthew Castillo, for their service to our community. I look forward to continuing to work closely together to deliver for our residents." Image The $450,000 funding for the Village of Virginia Gardens Police Department will be used to upgrade technology infrastructure such as communications systems, surveillance equipment, and data analytic tools to improve officer coordination and efficiency. The $500,000 funding for the Miami Springs Police Department will be used to upgrade six marked Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) which will make communities safer, help improve visibility for officers, deter crime, and create greater interactions within the community. These projects received funding through the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which was approved by Congress and signed by the President on January 23, 2026. Image Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart represents Florida's 26th Congressional District and serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He is the Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and has a longstanding, successful track record of delivering crucial funding to support the safety and improve the quality of life for South Florida. Issues : Appropriations Appropriations Process