St. Louis to receive $68 million in federal funding to fight crime

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The City of St. Louis will receive $68 million in federal funds to help law enforcement continue to fight crime.

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke at Kiener Plaza in St. Louis on Monday to announce the city as one of four selected to receive funding for the Model Cities Initiative (MCI).

The grant program provides resources to help reduce crime in selected cities. Sen. Schmitt’s office said the funding will help support police recruitment, officer pay, police academy improvements, and major upgrades to vehicles and gear.

The office said the funds will also help expand community services through a law-enforcement-led homeless outreach program, social workers, victim advocates, and partnerships with crisis support groups.

The program aims to split $300 million among cities looking to fight crime, Blanche said. He said the MCI will help St. Louis serve as a nationwide example of modern crime fighting.

Blanche was joined by several state and local officials, including Gov. Mike Kehoe, Sen. Eric Schmitt, Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway and Police Chief Robert Tracy.

“You deserve to feel safe walking down your block,” Chief Tracy said during the meeting. “You deserve to feel safe opening up your business or watching your children play outside. That is what this investment must deliver.”

Schmitt said the funding builds on previous efforts like Operation Show-Me Justice, an ATF-led law enforcement operation that led to hundreds of arrests.

St. Louis was chosen from 47 cities that applied for the funding, according to Blanche. He said he aims to continue the downward trend in crime in St. Louis and nationwide.