Delaware's Operation Safe Streets in New Castle County

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 Executive Office of the Governor, Delaware Criminal Justice Council (CJC) will utilize fiscal year 2007 Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Category I Targeting Violent Crime funds to support the Operation Safe Streets program; a three-pronged approach that targets increased violence and combats career violent criminals. The first component, focusing on juvenile crime prevention, provides safe havens through the Boys and Girls Club and the Police Athletic League in order to engage youth in constructive activities and to deter them from entering the juvenile justice system. The law enforcement and corrections component will consist of enhanced supervision and re-entry services for adult and juvenile offenders with a history of violent drug, or weapons crimes. The victims services component will consist of weekly community outreach and support group meetings, and referrals for services for primary and secondary victims of violence. CJC will partner with the Department of Corrections, the Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police Department, the City of Wilmington and City of Dover Police Departments, the State of Delaware Family Court, and the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families.

CA/NCF