Justice Department announces $300 million Model Cities Initiative to reduce violent crime

The Department of Justice announced a new Model Cities Initiative that will direct $300 million in grant funding to cities aiming to reduce violent crime and modernize public-safety infrastructure, a Department of Justice official said.

The official said the money will be awarded to two to four cities with populations of 100,000 or more and described the funding under the "One Big Beautiful Bill." "The strongest applications will not come from one office or one representative acting alone. They will come from jurisdictions that offer true partnership, where the mayor, the prosecutors, the sheriff, police leadership, and other key officials are aligned behind one public safety plan," the official said.

The department said it expects jurisdictions to submit a single application that outlines a whole-of-government strategy and a clear explanation of how the grant dollars will be used "to improve law and order." The announcement framed the initiative as part of an administration promise to "restore law and order, back the blue, and make America safe again."

The official directed interested jurisdictions to apply at www.justice.gov/grants. The transcript does not specify a timetable for award decisions or additional eligibility documentation.

No formal selection outcomes or awardees were named in the announcement; the department characterized the initiative as "focused on results."