Press Release · Justice News
Justice Department Awards Jacksonville More Than $73M to Combat Violent Crime and Restore Law and Order Through Model Cities Initiative
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Press Release Justice Department Awards Jacksonville More Than $73M to Combat Violent Crime and Restore Law and Order Through Model Cities Initiative Friday, November 6, 2026 Share
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
Jacksonville was selected out of nearly 50 American cities to receive federal funding to strengthen law enforcement and enhance public safety.
Today, the Justice Department awarded Jacksonville, Florida, more than $73 Million through its Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a flagship effort to reduce violent crime, restore law and order, and strengthen public safety in communities across the country.
“The Model Cities Initiative reflects the Trump Administration’s commitment to reducing crime across the country and ensuring the safety of every American,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “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.”
Jacksonville was selected from nearly 50 cities for its strong interagency partnerships, proven commitment to reducing violent crime, and comprehensive public safety strategy. Led by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the city has demonstrated a coordinated approach to combating violent crime through proactive law enforcement, targeted prosecution, community engagement, and collaboration with federal, state, and local partners. Jacksonville also stood out for its ambitious plans to expand law enforcement capacity, strengthen forensic capabilities, deploy innovative crime-fighting technology, and enhance investigative resources to build on its recent public safety successes.
Jacksonville has made significant progress in reducing violent crime, but sustained investment in law enforcement is critical to building on these gains and ensuring long-term public safety. From 2023 through 2025, the city reduced murders by 38%, robberies by 25%, and aggravated assaults by 21%. During that same period, bullet-to-bone shootings declined from 278 to 268, while non-domestic shootings fell from 1,340 to 1,029. Through the Model Cities Initiative, Jacksonville will build on these achievements by expanding its investigative and prosecutorial capabilities, modernizing crime-fighting technology, and strengthening its ability to identify and apprehend violent offenders.
“In Florida, we hunt down child predators, lock up fentanyl traffickers, and make safety a number one priority.” said Attorney General James Uthmeier for the state of Florida. “I commend U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and our federal partners. Violent crime has seen a historic decline, dropping to its lowest level in over a century, and I’m grateful for this grant, which will save lives across North Florida."
“We are deeply grateful to the Department of Justice for this generational investment in our community’s safety. It’s an investment that will allow us to build on our success, strengthen our investigative capabilities, and innovate our technological assets,” said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters. “Through the Model Cities Initiative, we will, together, make strides to keep our children and grandchildren safe for many years into the future.”
“As a former sheriff, I know firsthand how important strong partnerships between local and federal law enforcement are to keeping our communities safe. Under Sheriff T.K. Waters’ leadership, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) is leading the nation in innovative approaches to public safety and delivering real results,” said Congressman John H. Rutherford for the 5th District of Florida. “From reducing violent crime and homicides to using proactive policing and advanced technology to fight crime, JSO is setting an example for law enforcement agencies across the country. I am pleased to see President Trump and Attorney General Blanche recognize these accomplishments and invest in Jacksonville’s continued success.”
Image of Attorney General Todd Blanche at the Model Cities Initiative Press Conference in Jacksonville, Florida
Image of Check Awarded to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
The MCI takes a whole-of-city approach to public safety, bringing together law enforcement agencies, local government officials, and community partners to develop comprehensive strategies that address the unique public safety challenges facing their communities. The applications submitted by the four selected jurisdictions exemplified the innovative, forward-thinking approaches the Department sought through the initiative.
While each jurisdiction faces unique public safety challenges and brings different priorities, resources, and starting points to the initiative, the Department is confident in the strength of their proposals and their commitment to achieving meaningful results. Despite differing approaches, all four jurisdictions demonstrated a shared determination to reduce violent crime and make their communities safer.
Through the initiative, the Justice Department will work with each jurisdiction to finalize and implement its public safety plan. Funding will support a range of priorities, including hiring sworn and non-sworn law enforcement officers and other personnel to support enforcement, prosecution, and related public safety activities; adopting new and improved technology; purchasing or leasing equipment; enhancing forensic capabilities and capacity; and providing services to address mental health and substance use issues and reduce recidivism.
The Justice Department announced the Model Cities Initiative in June 2026 to build on early successes in jurisdictions such as Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., in reducing violence, crime, and disorder. The initiative directs nearly $300 million in federal resources toward comprehensive public safety strategies that strengthen law enforcement, improve coordination among public safety partners, and address the factors contributing to crime and recidivism.
Through these investments, the Justice Department will work alongside local partners to implement sustainable public safety solutions and deliver measurable results. The four Model Cities will help advance the Administration’s efforts to reject the status quo of allowing crime and disorder to go unchecked and restore law, order, and safety to communities across the nation.
Jacksonville, Florida; Jackson, Mississippi; and St. Louis, Missouri, have additionally been selected to receive federal investments supporting innovative, comprehensive, locally driven strategies to combat crime and enhance coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
The specific departments funded are:
- Baton Rouge - East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana;
- Jackson - City of Jackson, Mississippi;
- Jacksonville - City of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office; and
- St. Louis - City of St. Louis Police Department.