St. Louis wins millions in federal award to improve public safety

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - St. Louis is one of four cities that have won federal award money to improve public safety.

The Department of Justice will award Jacksonville, Florida, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Jackson, Mississippi, and St. Louis with an award that totals nearly $300 million in federal money.

The nearly $300 million will be split between the four cities, and a spokesperson for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) said it’s unclear at this time exactly how much money the St. Louis department will be receiving.

The money comes through the DOJ’s Model Cities Initiative (MCI) in an effort to “reduce violent crime, restore law and order, and strengthen public safety in American communities.”

“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.”

SLMPD says they will be using the funding to hire more officers, offer recruitment incentives and support competitive compensation and officer wellness.

The department says it will also use the money to upgrade its Real-Time Crime Center by replacing aging cameras and license plate readers, installing additional cameras and replacing a radio communications tower. They also plan to use some of the money on additional drones, replacing police vehicles and ballistic shields for patrol cars.

“This investment will give our officers better tools, strengthen investigations and expand support for people in crisis,” said Police Chief Robert J. Tracy. “We appreciate the Department of Justice’s investment in our work to make St. Louis safer.”

SLMPD says they also plan to create a new citizen reporting portal and establish a law enforcement-led homeless outreach program.

The homeless outreach program will include social workers and victim advocates, work to support community partners who provide crisis intervention, treatment and housing assistance. This work, the department says, will have a community partner oversight manager.

“This award gives us an opportunity to make lasting improvements in how we serve St. Louis,” said Board of Police Commissioners President Chris Saracino. “By investing in our officers and strengthening community partnerships, we can build on our progress and make our neighborhoods safer.”