JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will receive more than $73 million in federal crime-fighting money over three years after the city was picked as one of four winners of the U.S. Department of Justice Model Cities Initiative, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday in Jacksonville.
The program splits nearly $300 million among the four places chosen. Federal officials said 47 municipalities applied, the list was cut to 21 semifinalists and 11 cities were interviewed before the final selections.
Blanche said Jacksonville stood out for a whole-of-government plan aimed at violent crime and pointed to a 38% drop in homicides from 2023 to 2025, along with what he called the lowest overall crime rate in nearly 30 years. He said many departments simply need extra cash to keep pace with criminals and new technology.
Sheriff T.K. Waters said the sheriff’s office will spend the money on training and equipment and will add 40 new positions. An early priority is the agency’s drone responder program, which Waters said helps keep officers safe on calls.
Waters also said the federal dollars will not be used to fill the budget gap tied to Amendment 3. He described the grant as added support for operations that does not come out of local taxpayers’ pockets.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who joined the announcement, credited tough prosecution standards across the state and said the city earned the award through its work on public safety.
Sheriff’s office leaders will decide how the money is divided across the three years, with crime reduction and updated technology named as the main goals.
Section: More Jacksonville FL crime news
Filed under: Jacksonville FL Public Safety News
