2007 Project Safe Neighborhoods Gun Violence Reduction--Western District of Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance will use FY07 PSN funds to target area-specific gun violence issues in the Western District. Agencies in the target areas will be invited to submit applications to address these issues. The four target areas are: 1) Eau Claire County and the City of Eau Claire, which due to its location, experiences a high amount of gun violence related to drug trafficking; 2) La Crosse County and the City of La Crosse, which also experiences a high amount of gun violence related to drug trafficking, but has also seen an increase in gang activity with related increase in illegal firearm possession; 3) Marathon County and the City of Wausau, which has experienced an increase in firearms offenses and retaliatory violence related to gang activity; and 4) Douglas County and the City of Superior, which due to its location, experiences a high amount of drug and gun trafficking, and a high number of domestic violence incidents involving a firearm. The District will also purchase law enforcement equipment.

NCA/NCF