Leech Lake Targeting 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 Leech Lake Police Department (LLPD) will use its Fiscal Year 2007 Byrne Discretionary Category 1: Targeting Violent Crime Grant award to expand its efforts to address violent street crimes, illegal drugs, gangs, and guns. The LLPD will continue to collaborate and partner with Itasca County deputies in an effort to increase and share intelligence between the two agencies. Equipment will be purchased to provide the core unit and officers of the LLPD with the tools necessary to complete the project while promoting officer safety, data analysis, improvement of crime scene processing, reduction of violent crime, and improved ability to follow an intelligence led policing protocol while implementing new violent crime initiatives. Three undercover squad cars will be purchased with the grant funds. These cars will be used by undercover officers to work saturation shifts that target violent crime and gang activity in high crime areas. LLPD also intends to purchase a video camera to conduct surveillance and assist in warrant executions and undercover stings. LLPD will purchase additional equipment including new cameras for crime scene processing, a wireless bug to assist with undercover buy operations, and tasers for all patrol officers. Additionally, grant funds will be used by LLPD officers to work overtime shifts that target violent crime by saturating high crime areas with aggressive enforcement.

CA/NCF