Lowell's Violence Reduction 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 City of Lowell, through the police department, will utilize fiscal year 2007 Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Category I Targeting Violent Crime funds to enhance the Lowell Violence Reduction Initiative (LVRI) through officer overtime, training, and equipment purchases to include bulletproof vests, portable cameras, and computers with associated software. LVRI is an evidence-based, data-driven program that will coordinate several strategies including targeted hotspot enforcement, targeted multi-jurisdictional investigations, home visits, and community engagement to combat a recent spike in violent crimes throughout the city.

CA/NCF