St. Louis Receives $68 Million Crime Grant

St. Louis will receive more than $68 million in federal funding over three years through the Justice Department’s Model Cities Initiative, one of four cities selected from 47 applicants. The grant is intended to strengthen efforts against violent crime, including officer recruitment, police technology and equipment, upgrades to a first-responder radio tower, and community-based support such as homeless outreach and victim services. Officials said the funding could help address staffing shortages and support a real-time crime center linked with federal agencies. The award’s terms call for close cooperation with the Justice Department, prompting concerns about federal influence, including on immigration enforcement; Attorney General Todd Blanche described the arrangement as a partnership, while Police Chief Robert Tracy said local police would retain their own strategies. Officials cited recent declines in crime and said the investment should help sustain that progress.