Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota (USAOND) is working with the North Dakota Office of Attorney General (NDOAG) on the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program in efforts to reduce violent crime activity in the Fargo area. This area has experienced an increase in violent crime every year from 2016 to present. Violence is being fueled by a population increase in the metro area. Drug related crimes have increased dramatically and is influenced by easy access from the major cities of Minneapolis, MN, Chicago, IL, and Detroit, MI with ties to gangs from those areas. The significant mark-up in illegal drug prices in Fargo compared to those cites mentioned is a contributing factor for an increase in violent crime in Fargo metro area.

A PSN Task Force was created to further develop and maintain ongoing coordination among federal, state, and local with an emphasis on prevention, tactical intelligence gathering, more vigorous and strategic prosecutions, and enhanced accountability. Key partners in the project include the USAOND; NDOAG; Statistical Analysis Center (SAC); Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI); United States Marshals Service (USMS); Fargo Police Department; Cass County Sheriff’s Office; Cass County States Attorney’s Office; Youthworks; Cass County Jail Chaplains; Fargo and Cass County School Resources Officers; Moorhead Police Department, MN; and West Fargo Police Department. These partners are key players in addressing violent crime affecting the Fargo area.

If awarded, PSN 2023 grant funding will be used to continue to support the PSN Task Force goals and objectives to reduce violent crime and create safer communities. The PSN grant strategy is being implemented by continuing to subaward funds during the 36-month grant project period beginning October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2026.