Nevada Partnerships to reduce gang-related and gun violent crime

The Office of Criminal Justice Assistance (OCJA) as the fiscal agent for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada’s (USAO-Nevada) Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Team submits this application and plan for the PSN FY23 Grant solicitation for the project period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026.

Las Vegas, Nevada has one of the highest homicide rates in the country, according to a new crime data report from the FBI. Las Vegas ranked 7th among the largest cities in America with 152 homicides in 2021. Nevada ranks 13th in states in the nation for the number of violent crimes with a rate of 3,443 incidents per 100,000 state residents. That’s 39% higher than the national rate of 2,477 per 100,000 people and 22% higher than that of Nevada total crime rate of 2,815.9 per 100,000 people. Las Vegas is currently experiencing a large increase in criminal gang violence involving a firearm or other deadly weapon in the valley.

Due to the increase in gang violence, especially violence associated with firearms, the Project Safe Neighborhood grant will focus on the neighborhoods within Las Vegas reflecting the highest volume of gang and gun crimes for the FY23 PSN grant based on available data and a review of efforts underway.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) will utilize evidence-based strategies such as Community Oriented Policing, Focused Deterrence, and Hot Spots Policing to combat the growing problem of gang and gun related violence. To compliment and expand on the law enforcement component of the grant, the PSN Team will determine the use of grant funds to support local law enforcement to engage and collaborate with the to-be selected community partners to create a program aimed at intervention/prevention, and outreach to at-risk youth offenders and their family members that will discourage youth from entering gangs. Additional officers and patrols for enforcement will be scheduled directed at the areas with the highest amount of gang and gun violence.

The FY23 PSN Program intends to continue its focus on fostering meaningful partnerships with local law enforcement in Las Vegas, school engagement, prosecution, and involvement with community organizations to reduce gang-related violence and make the communities safer. The FY23 PSN grant funding will be used to build rapport with community leaders, enhance lines of communication, and enhance mechanisms for seeking community support to identify and report on gang activities through a community outreach component.