District of Columbia Project Safe Neighborhoods (DC-PSN)

The Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG), in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAODC), as the Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) Task Force’s fiscal agent and pass-through entity for the District of Columbia (“District”) requests $102,828 in federal funds to implement the District’s PSN strategy. In response to the BJA funding opportunity number O-BJA-2021- 94005, the District will focus on creating safe neighborhoods by reducing gang and gun violence. The DC PSN Task Force will: (1) integrate PSN’s four key design elements (Community Engagement, Prevention and Intervention, Focused and Strategic Enforcement, and Accountability) to help prevent violent crime and victimization in the identified target enforcement areas; and (2) enhance programs targeted to reduce gun and gang/crew violence in the identified historic and emerging hot spots of for violent crimes.  Young adults 18-24 years of age living in the targeted enforcement areas of Congress Heights, Washington Highlands, Columbia Heights, Fairlawn, Carver, Benning, Carver/Langston, Buena Vista, and Hillsdale/Barry Farm will be provided with evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions designed to improve positive outcomes among them and in their respective neighborhoods.  

     The goals of the PSN funded project are to: 1) reduce gun violence in the targeted enforcement areas; 2) reduce youth gang/crew-related incidents in the identified historic and emerging hot spots; 3) increase positive outcomes among young adults who are at risk of gang/crew involvement; and 4) increase community engagement with vulnerable populations living in the targeted enforcement areas. Within six months of being awarded, OVSJG will sub-award to a District agency or community-based organization to provide evidence-based interventions as outlined in the proposal and the DC-PSN Strategic Action Plan.