Baton Rouge secures $63 million federal safety grant

The U.S. Department of Justice will provide East Baton Rouge Parish with more than $63 million over the next three years. The funding is part of the Model Cities Initiative, a program selected for four municipalities based on their severity of violent crime.

Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the decision during a press conference on November 4. He named East Baton Rouge, Jackson, Mississippi, Jacksonville, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, as the recipients. Blanche stated that the selection criteria focused on areas with severe and persistent violent crime problems.

The initiative began following federal law enforcement surges in Washington, D.C., and Memphis earlier this year. Those operations established infrastructure for local and federal agencies to cooperate. Blanche confirmed that while large scale troop deployments are not expected in Baton Rouge, targeted law enforcement surges will occur in high crime areas.

Mayor-President Sid Edwards described the award as a major victory for the city. He noted that the grant can cover police staffing, overtime pay, and technology upgrades. These expenses currently drain the general fund, which is facing a budget crisis. By shifting these costs to the federal grant, local leaders can allocate existing budget funds to other needs.

The cooperative nature of the agreement gives the Department of Justice a direct say in how the money is spent. This differs from standard federal grants that offer less federal oversight. The funding is designated as a one time allocation, meaning it will be distributed over three years and then exhausted.

Edwards acknowledged that the money is not a permanent fix. He stated that officials must treat the funds as a three year plan rather than recurring revenue. Some of the grant money is expected to support the District Attorney’s office, which is currently suing the parish for additional funding.

District Attorney Hillar Moore requested a larger budget increase than what was included in the mayor’s proposal. The DOJ grant may help bridge that gap. Edwards said the parish would use a portion of the federal funds to assist the DA’s office.

Immigration activists have expressed concern about the federal presence. Rev. Alexis Anderson, a community advocate, argued that the initiative is unapologetically about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She noted that ICE is already present in the local jail and that every detainee is subject to potential removal.

Attorney General Blanche pushed back on the view that the program is primarily an immigration effort. He stated that focusing on immigration misses the point of the initiative. However, he confirmed that the federal government will ensure accountability for providing funds and law enforcement support.

Police Chief TJ Morse said he previously declined an invitation from ICE to sign a cooperation agreement with the Baton Rouge Police Department. He told federal agents that immigrants are not the primary drivers of violent crime in the city. Despite his stance, advocates remain wary of increased detentions, citing trends seen in Memphis where traffic stops led to more immigration arrests.

Parish officials have not yet finalized the specific plans for the grant. A detailed proposal is expected in January. The metro council must approve the plan before any projects or programs can begin.