Biden administration urging state and local governments to use Covid relief funding to address uptick in violent crime

The White House is encouraging state and local governments to use funding from the Covid relief package passed earlier this year to address a summer rise in violent crime as pandemic restrictions loosen nationwide.

The administration's strategy to combat crime, a White House memo obtained by CNN said, "uses the American Rescue Plan's $350 billion in financial support and clear guidance to provide state, local, territorial, and tribal governments the money they need to put more police officers on the beat -- including hiring above pre-pandemic levels in communities experiencing an increase in gun violence associated with the pandemic -- as well as the other resources, training, and accountability they need to engage in effective community policing." The memo, first reported by Axios, comes ahead of a meeting on Monday between President Joe Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland and local leaders -- including law enforcement, elected officials, and a community violence intervention expert -- that is expected to include representatives of cities using the Covid relief bill's funds. The memo detailed some of the best practices from the cities.