A fleet of new police cruisers. Dozens of security cameras. A machine that can return DNA matches in 90 minutes.

Flush with millions of federal dollars — mostly from a bill aimed at helping states balance budgets gutted by the coronavirus-induced recession — Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies are shelling out for new equipment, technology and training.

The spending by Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul’s administration falls under a key part of President Joe Biden’s agenda, which Paul has participated in: A campaign that seeks buy-in from police chiefs and local officials on spending their share of cash from last year’s American Rescue Plan Act to thwart surging violent crime.

The lion’s share of money going to Baton Rouge law enforcement from the feds is from that bill. Of a $13.3 million chunk of ARPA money BRPD has received, about $8 million has paid for 200 new patrol cars, the White House said. Paul said the money will also pay for new surveillance cameras, license plate readers, training and upgrades to a nerve center where police respond to crime as it happens.

Two-and-a-half years into the East Baton Rouge homicide wave, Paul said the money gives the department a boost as it makes upgrades and tries new ways to fight crime.

“We have this economic hardship that we were coming out of as we go back to some type of normalcy, and having this money available was really critical,” he said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, nabbed a $687,000 earmark in Washington for new technology that can return DNA test results in hours, rather than days — something Baton Rouge officials hope could curb a massive logjam…