Federal officials announced Wednesday that Baton Rouge will receive almost $64 million in Justice Department funding to strengthen public safety over the next three years. The grant, one of only four awarded from a pool of 50 applicants, will support additional police officers, specialized violent‑crime units, investigative resources and modern technology.
Local leaders welcome the investment
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche made the announcement at a news conference attended by Governor Jeff Landry, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and Baton Rouge Mayor‑President Sid Edwards. Blanche said the city’s existing safety initiatives and cooperation with state and federal partners made it a strong candidate.
“More law‑enforcement officers will be on the beat here in Baton Rouge, and they’ll be working with better equipment, better technology and better information,” Blanche said.
How the money will be used
Specific spending plans have not yet been finalized, but Edwards said operational planning will begin immediately with implementation expected in early January. The funding is slated for increased police staffing, investigative resources, violent‑crime units and coordinated enforcement operations involving local, state and federal agencies.
Impact on the community
Edwards described the grant as a long‑term investment rather than a short‑term giveaway. He noted that between 2021 and 2025 Baton Rouge officers responded to more than 1,300 non‑fatal shootings, 12,000 reports of shots fired and 1,200 armed robberies. “We plan a tenfold return on investment,” Edwards said, adding that the three‑year grant is expected to produce decades of transformational change for the city.
Governor Landry highlighted the toll of gun violence, noting that more than 1,100 people have been killed in shootings in East Baton Rouge Parish over roughly the past decade, with about 90 % of victims being Black. He also cited Operation Redstick—a coordinated enforcement effort that resulted in 185 felony arrests, the apprehension of 100 fugitives and the seizure of 45 firearms—as a model for future initiatives.
Comparisons and criticism
Landry contrasted Baton Rouge’s participation with New Orleans, which chose not to apply for the funding. “The city of New Orleans made an intentional decision not to apply,” he said, adding that Baton Rouge’s leaders have prioritized safety over politics.
Officials also emphasized the impact of violence on children, referencing the recent shooting death of 13‑year‑old Maddie Harris and other young victims in the parish.
Next steps
The Justice Department award will provide Baton Rouge with additional resources to expand enforcement efforts, though local officials have not yet disclosed the exact allocation among personnel, equipment, investigations and prosecution initiatives.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
