U.S. Attorney Raybould announces DOJ funding to strengthen regional law enforcement partnerships and support public safety in Tarrant County

FORT WORTH, Texas - United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced new federal awards through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, designed to deepen multijurisdictional partnerships and ensure that federal resources directly support local efforts to fight crime and improve community safety.

As Fort Worth and the surrounding Tarrant County region continue to experience unprecedented growth, the Department of Justice is investing in key public safety initiatives to help law enforcement meet the evolving needs of a rapidly expanding metropolitan area.

U.S. Attorney Raybould underscored that strong multijurisdictional partnerships are essential for a county facing the challenges of rapid development, diverse needs, and increasing calls for service.

"As Fort Worth and Tarrant County continue to grow, effective public safety depends on deepening partnerships across jurisdictions and making sure federal resources are brought to bear where they're needed most. These grants represent one of many steps the Department of Justice is taking to support local law."

These grants reflect an important commitment: as cities grow, public safety must grow with them. In Tarrant County, one of the fastest growing regions in Texas, strengthening coordination among agencies and giving officers the tools they need to effectively serve a larger and more complex community are essential.

Under these awards, jurisdictions across Tarrant County will receive targeted federal support to modernize forensic systems, expand mental health crisis response, and strengthen officer readiness.

• Fort Worth has been awarded $577,626 to acquire a new Laboratory Information Management System to enhance forensic efficiency and evidence processing, allowing investigators to manage rising case volumes in a rapidly growing city.
• Tarrant County has been awarded funding to expand mental health assistance for police calls, ensuring that officers responding to individuals in crisis have expert support.
• Arlington will bolster officer safety by purchasing Glock MOS pistols with red dot sights, strengthening readiness in a city that plays a major role in the county's public safety ecosystem.
• North Richland Hills has been awarded $12,033 to implement an indoor drone program, an innovative tool that improves situational awareness, supports de-escalation, and reduces risks during building searches, barricaded suspect events, and other complex operations.

"Every dollar we receive from the Department of Justice is investment in public safety," said Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia. "Modernizing our laboratory systems allows our investigators and forensic professionals to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently, helping us deliver justice to our community. We are grateful for our partnership with the Department of Justice and for their investment in keeping Fort Worth Safe."

"I've said for years that the Tarrant County Jail is the largest mental health facility in our county, and the continued rise in mental health incidents shows just how urgent this challenge has become," said Tarrant County Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn. "This new funding equips our deputies with the tools, training, and support they need to respond with understanding - keeping the individual in crisis safe, as well as the deputy and the community we serve."

"Effective policing means building strong partnerships and the federal funding available through the JAG grant is a strong example of the support our community receives through the Department of Justice," said North Richland Hills Police Chief Jeff Garner. "Our department prioritizes the sanctity of all human life, and this indoor drone program will create additional response options that support both officer and community safety."

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is a formula grant program which serves as the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. It was named after Edward "Eddie" R. Byrne, an officer in the New York City Police Department who was murdered while protecting a witness in a drug case. The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings.

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