DOJ awards St. Louis more than $68M to fight violent crime

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - St. Louis will receive $68.1 million in federal funds to support city police, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on Monday.

The Department of Justice selected St. Louis as one of four model cities. The money is for a three-year plan that includes police recruitment, technology and other resources.

Blanche said the Department of Justice is there to support state and city efforts to reduce violent crime.

“We are here today to lend our support to the state and city as they work to reduce violent crime that has burdened the residents of St. Louis for far too long,” Blanche said.

Just announced: @TheJusticeDept to give $68.1 million to @SLMPD over the next three years to combat crime. @KMOV

AG Todd Blanche makes the announcement, joined by Chief Tracy, @AGCHanaway, @GovMikeKehoe, @Eric_Schmitt, and the ATF. pic.twitter.com/meMl15I6yR

— David Amelotti (@DavidAmelottiTV) November 9, 2026

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said the funding supports public safety across the state.

“All Missouri families deserve to feel safe in their communities, and strengthening public safety in St. Louis is critical to the success and prosperity of our entire state,” Kehoe said. “We were proud to partner with the Trump Administration in securing this game-changing investment that will strengthen efforts to crack down on violent crime and support the brave men and women in law enforcement.”

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, who repeatedly called the funding a win for St. Louis at the podium, said it supports police work.

“This federal investment in public safety strengthens our hand in the fight against violent crime in St. Louis, and it supports the work of those who do that job every day,” Hanaway said.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, who carry the responsibility of placing themselves between our communities and harm with courage and resolve. This public safety effort represents our unified commitment to hold violent offenders accountable, strengthen public confidence, and build a safer St. Louis for every family.”

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said the new money builds on past efforts to increase federal law enforcement resources in St. Louis. Those include a permanent increase in FBI personnel, Operation Show Me Justice and Operation Viper, which resulted in the arrest of more than 500 people.

“I think for far too long the good people of St. Louis have had to accept the scourge of violent crime, ripping apart our neighborhoods, our communities, our reputation, but that ends, and this is a big part of all of that,” Schmitt said.

Residents and visitors described different experiences in the city.

Tracy Winka, who lives downtown, told First Alert 4 that he has had to wait after calling police in the past.

“I’ve called in the past, and it takes a while. I know they are busy, but they could use more officers on the force and having a quicker response time,” Winka said.

Dejuan Watts, who is visiting from Mississippi, said he has not had problems during his stay.

“It’s been cool, laid back. Everyone has been friendly for the most part. Walking around at night time and it’s been smooth,” Watts said.

Earlier this year, food truck worker Gesler Hoya described what happened to him two weeks after moving to St. Louis.

“I get caught in a crossfire. I’m walking from downtown Soulard, and I just start seeing flashes of light, I get concerned, immediately gunshots followed,” Hoya said.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s application, the department wants to use the money to recruit and retain officers and expand technology, including drones, cameras and gunshot detection.

The department also proposed replacing a radio tower and patrol vehicles and upgrading its real-time crime center. The application also calls for social workers, homeless outreach and funding for community partners.

The application requested $75 million, which is more than the $68.1 million announced. It is not yet clear which proposals will be funded.

In St. Louis, crime and the perception of crime are part of the conversation.

So far in 2026, St. Louis has recorded 93 homicides. That compares with 141 at this point in 2025, 151 in 2024, 160 in 2023 and 200 in 2022.

St. Louis recorded 139 homicides in 2025, the lowest annual count since 2013.

Violent crime in St. Louis is down 10.4% through mid-2026. St. Louis County has experienced four consecutive years of overall crime reduction, with major offenses down 8.5% in 2025.

First Alert 4 Investigator David Amelotti asked Chief Robert Tracy why the department needs the grant if crime is going down and whether the grant relates to a budget dispute with the city.

“This is the supplement, not supplant to grant,” Tracy said. “And so when you’re doing things like this, we’re going to make sure that we’re using it properly. We’re going to make sure that we’re using it to help those in need, help our department, and then we can use some of that other money to do the things that we wanted to do.”

Kehoe was asked whether the new money should prompt the board to reconsider its legal action against the city over funding.

“No, there’s two separate issues,” Kehoe said. “One is the board, and the city might have some disagreement about what all is available to pay police with.”

Just now: @AGToddBlanche arrives at Keiner Plaza. He’s now meeting with @SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy, Sen. @Eric_Schmitt, @GovMikeKehoe, and @AGCHanaway.

Today’s formal announcement is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM. @KMOV pic.twitter.com/fhwzXBYelA

— David Amelotti (@DavidAmelottiTV) November 9, 2026

The application states that Police Board President Chris Saracino commits to working closely with the Justice Department and, “as appropriate, receiving direction from DOJ,” on planning and implementing initiatives funded by the grant.

Amelotti asked Blanche on Monday whether there are strings attached.

“If you want to use the word strings attached, but we don’t view this as strings attached. We view this as a pure partnership,” Blanche said.

Amelotti also asked Blanche whether the grant moves the police department closer to a more militarized operation. Amelotti noted that St. Louis went through Ferguson and that some people said they did not want to see their police department become more militarized.

Starting my day downtown for the @dojphofficial Model Cities announcement. Also on hand will be @GovMikeKehoe @SLMPD Chief Robert Tracey, and @Eric_Schmitt. @KMOV pic.twitter.com/TeCLhB6ozX

— David Amelotti (@DavidAmelottiTV) November 9, 2026

“We’re working together,” Blanche said. “This doesn’t move the police department towards more militarized or anything like that.”

It is not yet clear who will receive and control the money.

The application names the police department as the applicant, but that does not indicate who will hold or appropriate the grant funds.

Saracino told reporters Monday he could not answer that financial question. First Alert 4 is working to find out who will control the money.