Justice Department Model Cities Initiative Awards Funding to Four Cities

Four U.S. Jurisdictions Chosen for Federal Support

Four American cities will divide nearly $300 million in federal grants following a competitive process focused on reducing violent crime and strengthening local law enforcement. Jacksonville, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and St. Louis, Missouri, were chosen for the newly established justice department model cities initiative.

Attorney General Todd Blanche and other Department of Justice leaders plan to visit each winning jurisdiction over a ten-day period to present the awards. Individual funding allocations have not yet been publicly disclosed by the department.

Tackling Crime With a Whole-of-City Approach

The competition was initiated by the DOJ in June under President Donald Trump's broader crime reduction strategy. Rather than supporting a single isolated policing program, the initiative relies on a whole-of-city model that unites law enforcement, municipal officials, and community organizations to build customized public safety solutions.

Participating jurisdictions can allocate the grant money toward hiring sworn and non-sworn personnel, acquiring advanced technology and equipment, upgrading forensic capabilities, and supporting programs that target mental health, substance abuse, and offender recidivism.

Local Policing Environments Across the Winning Cities

The four chosen locations face distinct local circumstances:

• Jacksonville: Selected following significant drops in violent offenses, including a reported 38% decrease in murders between 2023 and 2025, alongside investments in advanced training and investigative technology.
• St. Louis: Noted for its ongoing efforts to combat historical high homicide numbers, with local proposals calling to expand personnel by more than 300 officers and modernize operational technology.
• Baton Rouge: Confronting officer shortages that previously prompted historic pay raises, the area stood out for strong cross-sector partnerships and its Real Time Crime Center operations.
• Jackson: Recognized for putting forward an ambitious, technology-driven strategy utilizing specialized units and a Real Time Command Center to tackle persistent violent crime.

Sources: Fox News, STLtoday.com, Yahoo.