ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will get a piece of nearly $300 million in federal anti-violence money after the U.S. Department of Justice named the city one of four places in its new Model Cities Initiative.
The other three picks are Jacksonville, Fla., East Baton Rouge Parish, La., and Jackson, Miss. Federal officials did not say how the money will be divided among them. St. Louis beat out 46 other jurisdictions that applied, police said.
The city plan leans heavily on staffing. It calls for hiring more officers, adding recruiting incentives, keeping pay competitive and paying for officer wellness programs. The Police Academy would get security upgrades, interior repairs and new training tools.
Technology is the other big piece. The department wants to rebuild its Real-Time Crime Center, swap out aging surveillance cameras and license plate readers, put up more cameras and replace a radio tower. The wish list also includes drones for emergency calls, new patrol vehicles and a ballistic shield in every patrol car.
Washington launched the program in June, pointing to drops in violence in Memphis and the District of Columbia as models. Under the program, federal money can also cover forensic work, prosecution support and services aimed at mental health, substance use and repeat offending.
Justice Department staff will work with each city to finish its public safety plan. Attorney General Todd Blanche plans to visit all four next month to hand out the awards and meet with police, elected leaders and community groups.
Section: More St. Louis MO crime news
Filed under: St. Louis MO Public Safety News
