Congressman Robert Garcia Announces Federal Grants for City of Long Beach Law Enforcement to Enhance Transparency and Support Substance Abuse Services

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) announced the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded over $1.5 million in federal funding to the City of Long Beach to support the Long Beach City Police Department (LBCPD) Body-Worn Camera Expansion Project and to scale up Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), which supports individuals struggling with substance abuse by offering diversion programs, including treatment and field-based services.

Improving public safety in Long Beach has always been a top priority for our community, and these two grants will help our city accomplish this by enhancing our law enforcement infrastructure and supporting substance abuse programs,” said Congressman Garcia. “We were one of the first cities in the region to launch our body-worn camera program, and this grant will expand that program.”

“Today marks a significant step forward for our city as we celebrate the award of two transformative grants from the Office of Justice Programs,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “With additional funding for body-worn cameras, we’re continuing to enhance transparency and trust in local law enforcement. At the same time, the LEAD grant empowers us to expand field-based outpatient services, offering compassionate, community-centered solutions for those in need. Together, these initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to safety, justice, and the well-being of every resident.”

The two grants awarded by the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs to the City of Long Beach support efforts to prevent and reduce crime, while ensuring that justice is administered fairly and equitably. The Long Beach Police Department Body-Worn Camera Expansion Project will expand the number of body-worn cameras for law enforcement officers and support the management of digital evidence to promote fair and equitable policing practices. Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) will build on efforts in Long Beach to expand field-based care, treatment, and diversion programs for individuals struggling with substance abuse issues.

Congressman Garcia remains committed to empowering local law enforcement agencies to protect our communities effectively, fairly, and equitably, consistently working with local leaders and the Department of Justice to secure federal funding for and public safety initiatives. This year, Congressman Garcia secured a $350,000 grant through the Department of Justice’s Innovative Prosecutor Solutions program for the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office (LBCPO) to improve communication and information sharing between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices. In September, Congressman Garcia helped secure a $200,000 grant for the Long Beach Youth and Family Victim of Crime Assistance Program, allowing Centro Cha to provide culturally responsive services to victims of crime from historically underserved and marginalized communities. In January, Congressman Garcia secured a $14,702 grant through the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance for the City of Bell to prevent and reduce crime.

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