Press Releases

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) congratulates the Miami-Dade County Police Department (MDPD) on being awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help reduce crime and violence in the county's highest crime area, the Northside District. Congresswoman Wilson worked closely with the MDPD to secure the grant issued under the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program (BCJI). Congresswoman Wilson released the following statement:

"This is welcome news and much-needed funding that will support cross-sector partnerships and innovative strategies to tackle crime and violence in the Northside District. I commend the Miami-Dade CountyPolice Department and their partners for their work to make the Northside District a safer place to live, work, and raise a family," said Congresswoman Wilson.

In a May 2014 letter, Congresswoman Wilson described the challenges facing the Northside District and urged the U.S. Department of Justice to fund MDPD's proposed solutions. In 2013 alone, the Northside District recorded over 1,000 aggravated assaults and nearly 50 homicides. The $1,000,000 grant will bolster MDPD's ability to combat crime and violence in the District.

The Department of Justice's Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program, a part of President Obama's strategy to turn neighborhoods of distress into neighborhoods of opportunity, supports cross-sector partnerships that employ data-driven strategies to reduce crime and violence in neighborhoods with chronic hot spots of violent and serious crime.

Congresswoman Wilson's letter of support can be read here.

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Congresswoman FredericaS. Wilsonis a second-termCongresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Congresswoman Wilson also founded the Florida Ports Caucus and serves as co-chair along with Congressman Bill Posey, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. The Florida Ports Caucus is a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida's harbors and waterways.