2007 Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide commitment to reducing gun crime, links existing local programs together and provides them with necessary tools. PSN 1) takes a hard line against gun criminals, using every available means to create safer neighborhoods; 2) seeks to achieve heightened coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement; and 3) emphasizes tactical intelligence gathering, more aggressive prosecutions, and enhanced accountability through performance measures. The United States Attorney in each federal judicial district will lead the offensive. The fiscal agent, in coordination with the PSN Task Force, will allocate funds throughout the community.

The Oklahoma District Attorney's (DA) Office will utilize the grant funds for 1) the position of District Attorney Investigator, 2) the purchase and installation of wiretap equipment, and 3) training. The District Attorney Investigator will be exclusively dedicated to gang and firearm-related crime prosecutions. The Investigator will ensure effective coordination between state and federal gang prosecutions, and will spearhead the Firearm Related Task Force along with coordinating an educational program designed to generate community awareness. The purchase and installation of the wiretap equipment will assist the DA's Office in more effective prosecution of gang and firearm-related violent crime investigations. The training component will be Spanish language immersion training, which will help officers to overcome the language barrier when dealing with Hispanic gangs.

NCA/NCF