NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Padilla Deliver Nearly $2.5 Million for Bay Area Public Safety Projects

Walnut Creek, CA - Today, Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both-D-Calif.) are announcing that nearly $2.5 million is heading to public safety projects in San Francisco, Alameda, and Walnut Creek. The federal funding was secured by Senators Schiff and Padilla through the Congressionally Directed Spending process for fiscal year 2026.

As a result of the Senators' efforts, $1 million has been disbursed to the City of Walnut Creek, $900,000 has been disbursed to the City of Alameda, and $550,000 has been disbursed to the City of San Francisco for projects that will prevent crime and keep communities safe. The funding is part of more than $258,959,654 delivered by Senator Schiff since taking office.

"All Californians deserve to live in communities where their families are safe and their businesses can thrive. They also deserve to have the peace of mind of knowing that when a crime does take place, local law enforcement has the tools to bring the perpetrators to justice," said Senator Schiff. "I'm proud to have secured nearly $2.5 million in federal funding with the partnership of Senator Padilla and Congressman DeSaulnier, which is now headed to Bay Area communities, to deliver on that promise."

"Keeping our communities safe means investing in the tools and services that help prevent crime, support victims, and hold perpetrators accountable," said Senator Padilla. "I'm proud to have secured this federal funding for Alameda and San Francisco, delivering resources that strengthen public safety and help ensure Californians get the support and protection they deserve to feel safe in their own communities."

Read more about the projects below:

City of Walnut Creek Public Safety Body Worn Camera Equipment Upgrade Project

The Walnut Creek Police Department has received $1,000,000 to implement their Public Safety Body Worn Camera Equipment Upgrade Project. The purpose is to provide equipment upgrades and services for the department's Body Worn Camera (BWC) program. This project is intended to improve accountability and transparency and strengthen data collection and the preservation of digital evidence.

This funding request was led by Senator Schiff and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10).

"Body-worn cameras are critical in promoting transparency, ensuring accountability, and developing public trust in police departments,"said Congressman DeSaulnier. "I was proud to bring home $1 million for the City of Walnut Creek to upgrade 120 body-worn cameras for their officers and provide cutting-edge technology for the department that will ultimately make our community safer. I am grateful for the leadership of Senators Schiff and Padilla for supporting public safety reforms statewide."

City of Alameda Crime Victims Initiative

The City of Alameda City Attorney's Office has received $900,000 in federal funding, which will sustain and expand victim services in response to rapidly increasing caseloads, particularly involving domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, and other misdemeanor crimes, through an embedded victim advocacy program in the Prosecution and Public Rights Unit. The project will increase access to victim services, offer greater continuity of support throughout criminal proceedings, expand service availability, improve awareness of available resources, and sustain and institutionalize a victim advocacy program that strengthens services for crime victims throughout Alameda.

This funding request was led by Senator Padilla and supported by Senator Schiff.

City and County of San Francisco's Crime Lab Rapid DNA Unit

The San Francisco Police Department-Crime Lab Rapid DNA Unit has received $550,000 to support efforts to acquire and implement two National DNA Index System (NDIS)-approved Rapid DNA instruments, along with the associated software, consumables, validation materials, and training required to integrate this technology into forensic operations. Rapid DNA technology automates DNA extraction, amplification, separation, and profile generation within a single instrument, reducing analysis time from weeks to less than two hours for qualifying samples. This capability will significantly improve investigative timelines, increase laboratory efficiency, and enhance the delivery of critical forensic information to investigators and criminal justice partners.

This funding request was led by Senator Schiff.

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