HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston Mayor John Whitmire said on Tuesday that the city has rescinded its application for a federal grant that would have brought in nearly $150 million for public safety.

ABC13 first reported last month that the city had submitted the application as part of the Department of Justice's Model Cities Initiative.

The Department of Justice said the initiative is meant to emphasize common-sense, proactive policing, in addition to increasing police activity in high-crime areas.