Justice Department to give out grants to American cities experiencing rise in violent crime

The Justice Department announced this week that it will close out the year by giving grants to major US cities who have struggled with a rise in violent crime over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants will be given to several jurisdictions across the United States, including mostly large metropolitan areas. The $1.6 billion will be split across a variety of initiatives in more than 900 cities nationwide.

The Justice Assistance Grant, which makes up $271.9 million of the funds, will assist local law and state law enforcement combat the steady uptick in violent crimes seen all over the US in the last two years, as the pandemic, economic struggles, and racial and political tensions have driven up murder rates, assault rates, and other violent crime rates. 

The funds have been given out to fight a variety of violent crimes, such as drug-related activity, gang-related activity, and programs aimed at reducing violent crime, like domestic abuse programs, courts, and treatment programs for violent offenders.

According to the DOJ announcement, “Chicago was awarded $2,407,095 and Seattle was awarded $771,127. Philadelphia is eligible for $1,499,662; Baltimore may receive $1,364,052; New York City is eligible for $4,095,916 and Los Angeles is allotted $2,692,835.”

The Justice Department says the grants will “help support the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, announced in May, and will advance President Biden’s Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gun Crime and Ensure Public Safety, released in June.”