Wisconsin Eastern District BJA FY 23 Project Safe Neighborhoods

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 since 2014 with a significant increase between 2019 and 2023. Within Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) has identified two significant sources that are responsible for violent firearm crime: (1) organized violent groups and (2) individuals who consistently engage in firearm-related crimes.  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.