Jacksonville Receives $73 Million Federal Model Cities Award for JSO

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office more than $73 million on Friday, November 6, 2026, through the Model Cities Initiative. Attorney General Todd Blanche presented the award in Jacksonville, according to the department's Office of Public Affairs. First Coast News, in a report published at 6:04 p.m. EST that day, said the award totals $73,005,420 over three years. Action News Jax confirmed the award at 6:42 p.m. EST. Those figures are the public federal grant amounts named in those reports.

Stay Safe Jax covered Jacksonville's selection on October 30, 2026, when the city's specific allocation had not been disclosed. That background report is at https://www.staysafejax.com/blog/jacksonville-doj-model-cities-initiative. Friday's announcement is the first public dollar figure for Jacksonville under the program.

The Justice Department said the initiative directs nearly $300 million to four jurisdictions: the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana, the City of Jackson in Mississippi, and the St. Louis Police Department in Missouri. First Coast News reported that Blanche said 47 municipalities applied. Officials narrowed that list to 21 semifinalists, interviewed 11 cities, and selected four.

The Justice Department said Jacksonville was chosen from nearly 50 cities for its partnerships across local, state, and federal agencies and for plans to expand forensic work, investigative capacity, and crime-fighting technology.

The same Justice Department release listed Jacksonville crime figures from 2023 through 2025. It said murders fell 38 percent, robberies dropped 25 percent, and aggravated assaults declined 21 percent. Non-domestic shootings fell from 1,340 to 1,029 over that period. Those statistics describe years before this grant. This report does not treat them as results of the November 6 award.

First Coast News reported that JSO originally asked for about $104 million. That proposal included 40 additional officers, four assistant state attorneys, six implementation staff members, and technology and lab upgrades, including DNA and chemistry lab renovations. First Coast News also listed drone technology and drone-first-responder systems among proposed items. Those are items from the original request. They are not a completed spending plan.

Action News Jax reported that Sheriff T.K. Waters said the agency will create 40 new positions and expand training and equipment. The same report said an early priority is the department's drone responder program, which Waters described as a way to help keep officers safe. The Justice Department said it will work with each city to finalize and carry out a public safety plan. Eligible uses in the November 6 release include hiring sworn and civilian staff, technology and equipment, forensic capacity, and mental health and substance use services aimed at reducing repeat offenses.

The final allocation has not been decided. First Coast News said JSO and city leaders are expected to spend the coming weeks deciding how to divide the award, which came in below the original request. Action News Jax said local department leadership will determine how the money is allocated. First Coast News also reported that Blanche, asked about crime-reduction targets at the end of the three-year period, said there are no milestones. This report does not project staffing dates, crime rates, or response times.

The award arrived the same week Florida voters approved Amendment 3, which city officials have described as a future reduction in Jacksonville property-tax revenue. Waters told Action News Jax the federal grant will not be used to replace money affected by the amendment. He described it as additional support for law enforcement operations.

How much did Jacksonville receive? First Coast News reported $73,005,420, paid over three years. The Justice Department described the award as more than $73 million.

What will the money fund? JSO's original proposal included 40 officers, four assistant state attorneys, six implementation staff, and technology and lab upgrades. Action News Jax reported that Waters plans 40 new positions and named the drone responder program as an early priority. First Coast News and the Justice Department said the final spending plan has not been set.

Does the grant replace Amendment 3 revenue? Waters told Action News Jax it will not. He described the award as additional support for law enforcement operations, not a replacement for local revenue affected by Amendment 3.