National Model Cities Initiative awards Jacksonville $73M to fight crime

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters got a big gift from the Department of Justice on Friday $73 million from the nationwide Model Cities Initiative to start new programs to battle crime. Jacksonville is one of four communities chosen for a total of $300 million. Seventy-four communities applied. Waters joined U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and other officials Friday to discuss the initiative s local goals and accept a ceremonial check. The sheriff called the money a generational investment in the community. The federal funding will be used to work with other local agencies, city government and community partners to lower a crime rate that includes what he says should be a second year s drop in murders. The work will include adopting advanced policing and training programs, expanding forensic capabilities and adding more aerial drones to continue the recent drop in homicides and violent crime, along with other proposed additions, Waters said. “We will create 40 new sw