Gun Violence 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 Philadelphia Police Department will utilize fiscal year 2007 Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Category I Targeting Violent Crime funds to reduce the outbreak of gun violence within the city through a multi-disciplinary task force of specialized investigators and elite patrol units charged with the function of targeting neighborhoods demonstrating the greatest need. The selection criteria for deployment of the specialized task force and other assets will be Comp Stat statistics relating to violent crime, quality of life issues, and citizen complaints. In support of this effort, funding will be used toward officer overtime, bicycle patrol, and bulletproof vest equipment.

CA/NCF