Maine's Project Safe Neighborhood

Maine's relatively low violent crime problem provides an opportunity for real impact with the infusion of new resources. Maine's crime problem has historically centered on intimate partner violence, which accounts for approximately half of the homicides in the state each year. The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) has aggressively addressed this problem, especially with our efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited persons in general and out of the hands of domestic abusers in particular. More recently, the driver of violent crime has included sex trafficking of both minors and adults and violent crime associated with firearms trafficking and domestic violence. Sex trafficking, essentially unknown or undetected just a few years ago, continues to increase. Maine has always been a source state for firearms, and the ability of prohibited person to obtain firearms is also of grave concern in this climate. Gun trafficking, often accompanied by straw purchases, and possession of firearms by violent offenders requires our vigilance. 

The District will use Maine's 2024 PSN funding to continue supporting partners whose work is focused on reducing violent crime associated with opioid trafficking, sex trafficking, domestic violence, gun trafficking and firearm possession by prohibited persons throughout the State of Maine. In 2024, the PSN Team will work with the Catherine Cutler Institute, its research partner, to review the most recently available state-wide crime statistics and to support our updated strategic plan.