State of Arizona Project Safe Neighborhood Program

FFY2023 Arizona Project Safe Neighborhood’s Project Abstract

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona (USAO-DAZ) continues to focus on violent firearm and gang prosecutions specific to Gun Crime Intelligence to support proactive investigations targeting transnational narcotics trafficking organizations smuggling firearms and ammunition.  According to the most recent FBI Crime Data Explorer, Arizona’s violent crime rate increased alarmingly and remained higher than the national average.  Arizona’s PSN task force is committed to utilizing a data-driven, evidence-based approach to addressing violent crime across the state by the usage of the National  Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) reporting and leveraging the City of  Phoenix’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center Initiative and continues to expand the Southern Arizona NIBIN initiative through the City of Tucson. 

    The USAO-DAZ also intends to provide marginalized youth 18 and younger that promote juvenile crime prevention, relationship building, and leadership development. During our Project Safe Neighborhood and Public Safety Partnership reviews, it has become evident that much of the violent crime in Phoenix and Tucson continues to evolve and involve youth younger than 18. In partnership with PSN law enforcement partners, schools, and non-government organizations, the USAO-AZ is exploring ways to address the identified gap and need by providing supportive services to deter youth from participating in criminal activities. 

    Arizona’s PSN Task Force, led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, continues to strengthen collaboration efforts with criminal justice representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, and probation from Federal, State, and tribal agencies. An academic research partner and a certified fiscal agent will complete the task force. Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, the certified fiscal agent, will provide fiscal management oversight of grant funds.  The research partner will provide the Arizona PSN Task Force with data analysis to help identify problem areas across the state and gaps in data and NIBIN  usage. 

The PSN Task Force will use this data analysis and leverage the partnerships the USAO has created to implement the PSN projects throughout the state. The projects will include evidence-based programs based on the four PSN design features of community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability to reduce violent crime and recidivism and ultimately create safer neighborhoods.