FY22 Eastern District of Wisconsin Project Safe Neighborhood Application

Wisconsin Department of Justice

Program Abstract

USAO Eastern District FY2022 PSN Grant Application

On behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), the State Administering Agency (SAA) and fiscal agent, requests $189,629 in federal funding for a 36-month project to support and build on existing efforts that address violent crime in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Violent crimes involving firearms continue to plague many Milwaukee neighborhoods. Milwaukee has experienced high rates of homicides and non-fatal shootings with a significant increase in 2019 and 2020. Within Milwaukee, two significant sources are responsible for violent firearm crime: (1) organized violent groups and (2) individuals who consistently engage in firearm-related crimes. In 2020 and 2021, the PSN Task Force focused on these groups for targeted investigations and prosecutions and augmented local efforts that have reduced violence in our Target Area.

To address firearm violence in Milwaukee, the Eastern District of Wisconsin’s strategy to reduce firearm violence includes (1) enhancing community engagement; (2) assisting in focused prosecution of the high-risk firearm offenders and groups; and (3) implementing and participating in firearm violence deterrence programs.

Under the leadership of the USAO, the PSN Task Force is a strong partnership of a number of agencies, including the following: Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Milwaukee County Community Justice Council, Wisconsin DOJ – Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Medical College of Wisconsin.