2024 Oklahoma Eastern - Project Safe Neighborhoods Formula Grant Program

The Eastern District of Oklahoma (EDOK) is proposing a comprehensive Violence Reduction Program to address the district's pressing violent crime issues, with a particular focus on illegal firearms, gang activity, and domestic violence. The project's primary purpose is to enhance the targeted prosecution of violent criminal offenders through intelligence-based policing, crime analysis, and strengthened coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The project will serve the entirety of the Eastern District of Oklahoma, which encompasses a predominantly rural region with easy access to metropolitan areas. This geographic setting has enabled gang activity and drug/firearm trafficking to thrive, contributing to elevated violent crime rates. A 30% set-aside of the grant funds will be dedicated to targeted enforcement and prosecution of gang-related violent offenses. 
 
Key project activities will include funding a law enforcement subgrantee to increase presence and targeted enforcement in high-crime areas, facilitating regular meetings and data sharing between the United States Attorney's Office and partner agencies, and implementing a community outreach and victim referral plan. The subgrantee will prioritize the enforcement of domestic violence cases linked to gang involvement and illegal firearm possession. Expected outcomes include a reduction in overall violent crime rates, particularly gun-related homicides and intimate partner violence, within the designated target areas. The project will also seek to improve community relations by informing the public of successful enforcement actions and connecting victims to appropriate social services. Additionally, the initiative will address pressing issues identified in the district's PSN Strategic Plan, such as ensuring public and law enforcement understanding of the post-McGirt jurisdiction and identifying high-risk groups impacted by violent crime. 
 
The subrecipient for the grant has not yet been identified, but the EDOK plans to circulate a subgrant application to a list of qualified law enforcement agencies across the district upon receipt of the federal funds. The selected subgrantee will work closely with the United States Attorney's Office, the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council (serving as the fiscal agent), and various federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to implement the comprehensive violence reduction strategy.