Baton Rouge Selected for Federal Crime Fight Funding
The city is one of four recipients of the Model Cities Initiative Grants, a program funded with $300 million by the Department of Justice.
By Ryan Carter ·
Forty-seven major cities applied for federal aid to combat crime and staffing shortages, but only four were selected to share in a $300 million pool. Baton Rouge is among them, according to an announcement made by city officials on Friday.
The funds come through the Model Cities Initiative Grants, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. The other three recipients are Jackson, Mississippi; Jacksonville, Florida; and St. Louis, Missouri. Mayor-President Sid Edwards said the specific dollar amount for Baton Rouge has not yet been released. Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to present the figure on Wednesday.
The grant allows the city to spend money on a wide range of public safety measures. These include hiring and training personnel, purchasing technology such as license plate readers and small drones, and expanding mental health and substance use services. Edwards said the city plans to begin implementing these strategies in early January.
The Baton Rouge Police Department currently faces a shortage of more than 150 officers. The department has about 530 officers on staff, while the budget is built for 610. Chief T.J. Morse stated in September that he aims to eventually return to a force of around 700 officers. The department last reached that level in 2015, when it had 670 officers.
To address the vacancy gap, the Metro Council approved a pay increase in April that raised starting salaries from $41,000 to $58,000. This move made Baton Rouge police officers the highest paid in Louisiana. Since the announcement, the department has seen a 300% increase in inquiries about joining the force compared to the previous year.
The upcoming police training academy in January attracted about 70 applicants, the highest number for any academy in the last five years. Morse’s goal is to add between 50 and 60 new officers in 2027. Blanche will visit Baton Rouge on Wednesday to announce the exact grant amount and additional details.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, said he looked forward to the money helping the city and serving as a model for other communities. Cassidy contacted city leaders, including Edwards and District Attorney Hillar Moore, in June to help apply for the grant. The Department of Justice cited the city’s historic pay raises and strong partnerships among law enforcement and local government as factors in the decision.
