The Justice Department announced on Friday, October 30, 2026, that it has selected four jurisdictions to receive nearly $300 million in federal funding through its Model Cities Initiative (MCI) to combat violent crime and strengthen public safety, according to the original release. Jacksonville, Florida; East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and St. Louis, Missouri, were chosen for investments meant to support locally driven strategies to fight crime and improve coordination among law enforcement agencies.

Key takeaways

  • The Justice Department selected four jurisdictions to receive nearly $300 million through its Model Cities Initiative.
  • The funding goes to East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana; the City of Jackson, Mississippi; the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in Florida; and the St. Louis Police Department in Missouri.
  • Money will support hiring officers, new technology, equipment, forensic capacity, and services addressing mental health and substance use.
  • Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to visit all four cities next month to formally present the awards.

Which Departments Receive the Funding

The Justice Department specified which local departments will directly receive and administer the awards, rather than the jurisdictions as a whole. Each department submitted applications that officials say demonstrated innovative, forward-thinking approaches to public safety.

According to the release, while each jurisdiction faces unique public safety challenges and brings different priorities, resources, and starting points to the initiative, the Department expressed confidence in the strength of their proposals and their shared commitment to achieving meaningful results.

What the Money Will Fund

The Model Cities Initiative takes what the Department describes as a whole-of-city approach, bringing together law enforcement agencies, local government officials, and community partners to build comprehensive public safety strategies tailored to each community's specific challenges.

Through the initiative, the Justice Department says it will work with each selected jurisdiction to finalize and implement its individual public safety plan, with funding directed toward the priorities each city identified in its application.

Statements From Justice Department Leadership

Attorney General Todd Blanche framed the awards as part of a broader administration effort. “The Model Cities Initiative reflects the Trump Administration's commitment to reducing crime across the country and ensuring the safety of every American,” he said. “These cities are setting an example of proactive law enforcement that will strengthen the rule of law and improve public safety in their jurisdictions. As violent crime rates continue to fall to historic lows, the Department of Justice is redoubling our efforts to invest in local communities and keep American families safe.”

Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. pointed to recent crime statistics in defending the initiative. “President Trump and this Department of Justice have demonstrated that Americans need not accept unsafe streets as a fact of life,” he said. “We have made tremendous strides in restoring public safety, with nonfatal violent crime declining 25 percent from 2024 to 2025. The Model Cities Initiative offers an opportunity to build on that progress, empowering these cities to set a new standard for safer communities across America.”

How the Initiative Began and What Comes Next

The Justice Department announced the Model Cities Initiative in June 2026 to build on what it called early successes in jurisdictions such as Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., in reducing violence, crime, and disorder. The initiative is designed to direct nearly $300 million in federal resources toward comprehensive public safety strategies that strengthen law enforcement, improve coordination among public safety partners, and address factors contributing to crime and recidivism.

Attorney General Blanche will visit the four selected jurisdictions next month to present the awards and meet with local law enforcement officials, elected leaders, and community partners, according to the Department. Through these investments, the Justice Department says it will work alongside local partners to implement sustainable public safety solutions and deliver measurable results, part of what officials describe as a broader effort to reject the status quo of allowing crime and disorder to go unchecked.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Model Cities Initiative?

It is a Justice Department program, announced in June 2026, that directs nearly $300 million in federal funding toward comprehensive, locally driven public safety strategies. It builds on earlier efforts in cities such as Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., aimed at reducing violence, crime, and disorder.

Which specific departments are getting the money?

The funding goes to East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana; the City of Jackson, Mississippi; the City of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in Florida; and the City of St. Louis Police Department in Missouri.

What can the funds be used for?

Jurisdictions can use the money to hire sworn and non-sworn personnel, adopt new technology, purchase or lease equipment, enhance forensic capabilities, and provide services addressing mental health and substance use issues to reduce recidivism.

When will the awards be formally presented?

Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to visit all four selected jurisdictions next month to present the awards and meet with local law enforcement officials, elected leaders, and community partners.