The Baltimore City Gun & Gang Violence Impact Program

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 Baltimore, through the police department, will utilize fiscal year 2007 Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Category I Targeting Violent Crime funding to support a multi-faceted Gun and Gang Violence Impact program that aims to remove violent offenders from city streets, eradicate gang strongholds upon distressed communities, and prevent illegal firearm trafficking. Specifically, funds will be applied toward salary and overtime costs for police officers assigned to conduct targeted enforcement of violent offenders, gang suppression efforts, and firearm recovery and interdiction initiatives. Funds will also be used to hire gang data analysts who will provide reports that measure current gang trends, and a training officer who will provide in-service training. Remaining funds will be applied toward equipment for task force officers to be used in the execution of search and seizure warrants.

CA/CF