Florida Violent Crime Strategy

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will implement the goals and objectives of Florida's Violent Crime Strategy under Category 1: Targeting Violent Crime. FDLE is partnering with local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies to develop a comprehensive statewide Violent Crime Strategy that will focus on the major violent crime components of homicides, gangs and violent fugitives. Using Florida's Regional Violent Crime Coordinating Teams, FDLE will coordinate Regional Violent Crime Summits that discuss the violent crime issues, current initiatives, and proposals for new or enhanced strategies to combat violent crime within regional jurisdictions.

CA/NCF