Four Cities to Split $300 Million in Federal Crime Grants

The Justice Department awarded nearly $300 million in federal funds to four U.S. cities on Thursday as part of the Model Cities Initiative. The grants are designed to help local law enforcement agencies reduce violent crime and expand their operational capabilities. The four winners are Jacksonville, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and St. Louis, Missouri. Attorney General Todd Blanche and other department leaders will visit each city over the next 10 days to present the awards and disclose the specific dollar amounts for each jurisdiction.

The initiative was launched in June under President Donald Trump’s directive to strengthen public safety in American cities. Unlike traditional grants that fund single programs, this approach requires a whole-of-city strategy involving local government, law enforcement, and community partners. The funds can be used for hiring sworn and non-sworn personnel, purchasing technology, expanding forensic labs, and supporting programs for mental health and substance abuse. The awards represent a substantial addition to local budgets, as Jacksonville’s sheriff’s office operates on an annual budget of roughly $674 million and St. Louis’s police department budgeted $147 million for fiscal 2024.

Jacksonville’s selection follows a sharp decline in violent crime. The city recorded 59 murders in 2024, the lowest total since at least 1995. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, which employs more than 3,600 staff members, cited its use of advanced training and technology as key factors. Sheriff T.K. Waters described the award as a generational investment that will allow the department to strengthen its investigative capabilities and provide officers with new resources.

St. Louis has seen a steady drop in homicides, which fell to 150 in 2024, the lowest number since 2013. Homicides during the first three months of 2025 dropped another 45 percent compared to the same period in the prior year. The city’s proposal includes expanding law enforcement personnel by more than 300 and modernizing its policing technology. St. Louis officials have noted that overall crime has declined 15 percent year over year.

Baton Rouge faces a distinct challenge related to staffing. The police department was approximately 150 officers short earlier this year, leading officials to approve the largest pay raise in department history. Starting salaries increased from $40,000 to $58,000 to aid in recruitment and retention. The department also operates a Real Time Crime Center that utilizes data analytics to support investigations.

Jackson, Mississippi, was selected for its technology-driven strategy to combat persistent violent crime. The Jackson Police Department operates a Real Time Command Center and specialized units for gun crime and narcotics. Its proposal focuses on greater coordination among agencies and expanded investigative capabilities. Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. stated that the initiative offers an opportunity to build on recent progress in restoring public safety across America.