U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt joined U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanawayand Gov. Mike Kehoe in St. Louis to tout a $68 million federal award aimed at helping local law enforcement combat violent crime.
The funding comes through the Department of Justice’s Model Cities Initiative, which selected St. Louis as one of four cities nationwide to receive support for crime-fighting efforts. Schmitt advocated for St. Louis’ selection, working with local stakeholders and DOJ leadership throughout the application process.
The grant will support police recruitment, officer compensation and wellness, police academy improvements, and upgrades to the city’s Real-Time Crime Center, radio communications and emergency response drones. Funding will also go toward replacing police vehicles, providing ballistic shields for patrol cars and establishing a citizen reporting portal.
The initiative also includes expanded community services, including a law enforcement-led homeless outreach program, additional social workers and victim advocates, and partnerships focused on crisis intervention, treatment and housing assistance.
Schmitt said the investment builds on previous federal efforts to increase law enforcement resources in St. Louis, including a permanent increase in FBI personnel and federal operations such as Operation Show Me Justice and Operation Viper, which resulted in more than 500 arrests.
Jake Kroesen serves as the Editor of the Missouri Times. He hails from Independence, Missouri and enjoys all things Jackson County. A graduate of UCM, he obtained his degree in Political Science.
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