00:00So I am thrilled to be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to announce the designation of East Baton Rouge
00:09as a model city by the United States Department of Justice.
00:14This program is just one of many steps the Trump administration has taken to support
00:20our law enforcement officers and restore the rule of law in America's neighborhoods, cities, and towns.
00:33Today, I am pleased to announce that the Department of Justice is investing nearly $64 million
00:40through the Model Cities Initiative to help the people of East Baton Rouge Parish reduce violent crime
00:47while also making this great city safer and stronger.
00:58This figure represents the commitment that we are ready to announce today, and
01:03we are continuing to work with the parish and law enforcement officials, many of whom are
01:08on this stage behind me, to allocate additional funds toward the parish's important work.
01:14These funds will be distributed to the parish over the next three years, with the next two
01:19months focused on finalizing operational plans and law enforcement surges beginning in the
01:24first weeks of 2027.
01:27I want to recognize the people standing behind me for their tireless work that got us here
01:31today, including Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell, East Baton Rouge
01:44Mayor President Sid Edwards, and I also want to recognize your great senators, Senator Cassidy,
01:51who's here today, and Senator Kennedy, who represent, both of them represent you guys so well in Washington,
01:59D.C. I also want to acknowledge Kelly Ledef. Now, he's worked tirelessly on the grants and application
02:07process that led to Baton Rouge being awarded what it's being awarded today.
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