Austin Police Department Violent Crime Initiative

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 City of Austin Police Department will utilize the 2007 Targeting Violent Crime Initiative funds to implement various violent crime fighting strategies that include overtime, data sharing, and training. Specific project goals include: (1) expansion of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System; (2) increase in overtime funding for bicycle patrols and special violent crime initiatives; (3) establishment of a violent crimes task force in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and (4) provision of training and resources for civilian crime analysts. This multi-faceted crime strategy is poised to combat the factors that are driving violent crime. The Austin Police Department will use an intelligence-led, data driven, multi-jurisdictional approach to fighting violent crime and gang activity within the City of Austin and its surrounding areas. Federal funds will support overtime, training, police canines, equipment (tasers and shields), and contractual services (AFIS upgrades, licenses, and servers).

CA/NCF