Justice Department Awards Jackson, Mississippi, more than $63M to Combat Violent Crime and Restore Law and Order Through Model Cities Initiative

Today, the Justice Department awarded Jackson, Mississippi, more than $63 million through its Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a flagship effort to reduce violent crime, restore law and order, and strengthen public safety in communities across the country.  

"The Model Cities Initiative reflects the Trump Administration's commitment to reducing crime across the country and ensuring the safety of every American," said Attorney General Todd Blanche. "These cities are setting an example of proactive law enforcement that will strengthen the rule of law and improve public safety in their jurisdictions. As violent crime rates continue to fall to historic lows, the Department of Justice is redoubling our efforts to invest in local communities and keep American families safe."

"Jackson has made real progress against violent crime, and that progress deserves recognition," said U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta. "The officers working these cases know their city and understand the challenges ahead. This investment gives them an opportunity to build on the work they've already done, with better tools to investigate violent crime and bring those responsible before the courts. The goal is simple: give good officers every advantage against violent crime."

"This is a tremendous win for Jackson and Mississippi. I'm grateful to President Trump and Attorney General Blanche for partnering with us to make our capital city a safer place," said Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi. "Since day one, we've made enhancing public safety a top priority. We've invested in law enforcement, put more officers on the streets and held criminals accountable. This investment will provide additional resources to combat crime and help protect the people of this amazing city."

"With this significant investment, the Trump Administration is demonstrating a commitment to the people of Jackson to help reduce criminal activity, restore law and order, and positively impact the quality of life for Jacksonians," said Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. "We are proud to be a partner with the City of Jackson and all our local, state, and federal partners in this effort to make Mississippi's capital city stronger, safer, and more secure. A strong Jackson means a strong Mississippi."

"This investment gives Jackson more resources to strengthen public safety and support the people who protect our city every day," said Mayor John Horhn. "I thank the Department of Justice for its support and our congressional delegation and state leaders for helping us get here. Funding is essential, but making Jackson safer takes all of us - faith leaders, neighborhood associations, educators, businesses, and neighbors working together. We want every family to be able to raise their children, pursue opportunities, and enjoy life in Jackson without fear."

"True public safety requires us to address not only crime, but also the conditions that contribute to it. The MCI Grant provides an opportunity to strengthen our forensic capabilities, technology, and invest in the people who serve this community," said Chief of Police Dr. RaShall M. Brackney. "These investments are essential to building a police department that is not only better equipped to investigate and prevent crime, but also better positioned to address the complex challenges that shaped public safety in Jackson."

Jackson, Mississippi, was selected in large part because of its substantial progress in reducing violent crime. The city has cut annual homicides by more than half, from 156 in 2021 to 75 in 2025. While these gains are significant, Jackson continues to face persistent challenges related to gun violence, investigative capacity, and public safety infrastructure. Through the Model Cities Initiative, the city seeks to build on its recent successes by strengthening law enforcement capabilities, expanding intelligence-driven investigations, and enhancing coordination among local, state, and federal public safety partners.

Jackson's proposal includes transforming its existing Real-Time Command Center into a comprehensive Real-Time Public Safety Center, modernizing forensic and ballistic analysis capabilities, and establishing a specialized unit to integrate ballistic evidence and criminal intelligence with targeted enforcement strategies. The city also plans to deploy a Sky-to-Street Public Safety Network utilizing unmanned aircraft systems to improve situational awareness, accelerate emergency response, and support crime reduction efforts.

Additional priorities include expanding law enforcement staffing, strengthening services for crime victims, and enhancing behavioral health and community reentry programs. Collectively, these investments are designed to reduce violent crime, improve investigative outcomes, and create a sustainable, coordinated framework for public safety in Jackson.

The MCI takes a whole-of-city approach to public safety, bringing together law enforcement agencies, local government officials, and community partners to develop comprehensive strategies that address the unique public safety challenges facing their communities. The applications submitted by the four selected jurisdictions exemplified the innovative, forward-thinking approaches the Department sought through the initiative.  

While each jurisdiction faces unique public safety challenges and brings different priorities, resources, and starting points to the initiative, the Department is confident in the strength of their proposals and their commitment to achieving meaningful results. Despite differing approaches, all four jurisdictions demonstrated a shared determination to reduce violent crime and make their communities safer.  

Through the initiative, the Justice Department will work with each jurisdiction to finalize and implement its public safety plan. Funding will support a range of priorities, including hiring sworn and non-sworn law enforcement officers and other personnel to support enforcement, prosecution, and related public safety activities; adopting new and improved technology; purchasing or leasing equipment; enhancing forensic capabilities and capacity; and providing services to address mental health and substance use issues and reduce recidivism. 

The Justice Department announced the Model Cities Initiative in June 2026 to build on early successes in jurisdictions such as Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., in reducing violence, crime, and disorder. The initiative directs nearly $300 million in federal resources toward comprehensive public safety strategies that strengthen law enforcement, improve coordination among public safety partners, and address the factors contributing to crime and recidivism. 

Through these investments, the Justice Department will work alongside local partners to implement sustainable public safety solutions and deliver measurable results. The four Model Cities will help advance the Administration's efforts to reject the status quo of allowing crime and disorder to go unchecked and restore law, order, and safety to communities across the nation. 

Jacksonville, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and St. Louis, Missouri, have additionally been selected to receive federal investments supporting innovative, comprehensive, locally driven strategies to combat crime and enhance coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. 

The specific departments funded are: 

• Baton Rouge - East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana; 
• Jackson - City of Jackson, Mississippi; 
• Jacksonville - City of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office; and
• St. Louis - City of St. Louis Police Department.