Capacity Building for Eight Safer Cities Project

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 National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) will implement this project funded under Category 2: Preventing Crime and Drug Abuse. They will assist eight local jurisdictions in establishing more effective collaboration among stakeholders and to secure enhanced local commitment to a comprehensive approach to public safety that includes prevention initiatives. Jurisdictions selected for the initiative could include those that have experienced the most significant increases in violent crime (especially assault and drug- and gang-related violence) in the period since 2004, including New Orleans (LA); Orlando (FL); Reno (NV); Sacramento (CA); Baltimore (MD); and Dallas (TX). NCPC will implement this project by using various technical assistance strategies, such as surveys, security assessments, key leader interviews, facilitated discussions at a summit of key leaders, media outreach, and training to address priority local concerns.

CA/NCF