Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2007, $395,855)
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 Saint Paul Police Department will use its Fiscal Year 2007 Byrne Discretionary Category 1: Targeting Violent Crime Grant award to fund a program named Stop Armed Gang Activity (SAGA). This program focuses on anti-gang programs, gun violence intervention and enforcement, and officer safety. The goals of the program include: an almost immediate and long-term reduction of violent firearm and gang-related activities; enhanced cross-jurisdictional communication; enhanced knowledge and skills of participants; a 30 percent reduction in crime associated with individuals identified as gang members; a decrease in curfew and truancy rates; an increase in the number of G.R.E.A.T graduates; an increase in 'walk-in' participation in their faith-based outreach program; and, a reduction in the number of assaults upon officers. Strategies for the program include: implementing a multi-jurisdictional and multi-faceted team to identify and target gang members; identifying hot spot locations for gang activity; disrupting and dismantling gangs; referring and assisting those gang members with resources for a whole life change; and, increasing officer safety.
CA/CF