Houston rescinds $148 million federal public safety grant application

Houston Mayor John Whitmire has announced that the city has rescinded its application for a federal public safety grant valued at nearly $150 million. The application was part of the Department of Justice’s Model Cities Initiative, which focuses on proactive policing and increasing activity in high-crime areas.

Whitmire cited two primary reasons for the withdrawal. First, he stated that city staff prematurely submitted the application to the Department of Justice before obtaining the necessary approval from the Houston City Council. Second, the Mayor noted there was a lack of clarity regarding the specific requirements and expectations the city would need to meet to secure the funds.