The U.S. Department of Justice has chosen the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as one of four agencies in the nation for its new Model Cities Initiative, the Sheriff’s Office announced Friday. Jacksonville will share in a federal commitment of nearly $300 million.
According to JSO, the money will go toward public safety work across the city and will expand the agency’s ability to support law enforcement partners throughout Northeast Florida.
The Sheriff’s Office said it will work with federal partners over multiple years. The plan calls for four things:
- Advancing proven policing strategies
- Expanding forensic capabilities
- Deploying new crime-fighting technology
- Growing investments the agency says are already producing results
JSO said the efforts will give officers and investigators more tools to prevent crime and hold offenders accountable. The announcement did not say how the money will be divided among the four cities or how the agency will spend it year by year.
Sheriff Waters’ statement
Sheriff T.K. Waters called the selection a “tremendous honor for Jacksonville.”
“It is also a powerful example of what local and federal partners can accomplish when we share a common mission,” Waters said. “We are deeply grateful to the Department of Justice for standing shoulder to shoulder with us and investing in the safety of our community. This generational investment will allow us to build on our success, strengthen our investigative capabilities, and give our men and women the technology and resources they need to stay a step ahead of criminals. Together, we are committed to making Jacksonville one of the safest cities in America.”
Crime trends cited
The Sheriff’s Office said Jacksonville has seen an “unprecedented decline in violent crime and homicides” under Waters. JSO credits a data-driven approach that combines proactive enforcement, intervention, technology, partnerships and community engagement. The agency did not release figures with the announcement.
JSO said it hopes to turn the partnership into lasting results for residents, businesses and neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
The Sheriff’s Office recently opened a new Public Services Building on Magnolia Street.
The Sheriff’s Office did not name the other three agencies in its announcement.