Maine's FY 21 Project Safe Neighborhood

2021 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Application District of Maine Program Abstract

District population:               1.3 million

Federal funds requested:      $85,846                       Project period: 10/01/21 – 09/30/24 Maine’s relatively low violent crime problem provides an opportunity for real impact

with the infusion of new resources. Maine’s crime problem historically centered on intimate partner violence, which accounts for approximately half of the homicides in the state each year. The USAO aggressively addressed this problem, especially with our efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited persons in general and out of the hands of domestic abusers in particular. More recently, the driver of violent crime has included sex trafficking of both minors and adults and violent crime associated with firearms trafficking and domestic violence.

Sex trafficking, essentially unknown or undetected just a few years ago, continues to increase. Maine has always been a source state for firearms, and the ability of prohibited person s to obtain firearms is also of grave concern in this climate. Gun trafficking, often accompanied by straw purchases, and possession of firearms by violent offenders requires our vigilance, both in and outside the drug world.

We anticipate using Maine’s 2021 grant solicitation to continue supporting partners whose work is focused on reducing violent crime associated with opioid trafficking, sex trafficking, domestic violence, gun trafficking and firearm possession by prohibited persons throughout the State of Maine.

In 2021, the PSN Team will work with its research partner (the Muskie School of Public

Service) to review the most recently available state-wide crime statistics and to develop an updated strategic plan that will encompass the use of remaining FY19 funds, along with unobligated FY20 grant balances. In addition to identifying potential subrecipient agencies in areas with increased levels of violence, the PSN Team is looking to incorporate elements of DOJ’s Project Guardian to address risks associated with individuals struggling with domestic violence and mental health problems.