Project Safe Neighborhoods - Southern District of Illinois

The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Southern District of Illinois (SDIL) will utilize Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) FY 2024 funds to build on current efforts underway to further reduce firearm, narcotics, and gang crimes by focusing on gang activity in public housing complexes in the City of East St. Louis. East St. Louis has one of the highest murder per capita rates in the United States, in addition to a high rate of other violent crime. Many violent crimes occur on public housing property or are committed by those living at or visiting residents of public housing, putting the safety of residents at risk. As such, eighty-five percent (85%) of Fiscal Year 2024 funds will be allocated to the East St. Louis Housing Authority to assist PSN enforcement efforts throughout public housing complexes.  
 
The goal of this project is to leverage existing multi-disciplinary partnerships to target enforcement efforts for individuals at high risk for violent offenses. Objectives include provision of enforcement services to targeted sites and individuals. This initiative is expected to further strengthen community and law enforcement relations and reduce violent crime.