Project Safe Neighborhoods

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 Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission, serving as the fiscal agent for the Western District of Missouri, will use FY07 PSN funds to reduce gun crime through the prosecution and conviction of federal firearms law violators and to deter felons from violating federal firearms laws through utilizing the media and other outreach methods. Specifically, the Western District of Missouri will fund the following enforcement initiatives: 1) the Kansas City Police Department will continue to provide two detectives to participate in the ATF PSN Task Force and PSN Executive Committee, provide vehicles and cell phone service for these detectives to participate, and will fund one employee to work the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN); 2) the Independence Police Department will continue to provide one detective to the ATF PSN Task Force; and 3) the Jackson and Greene County Prosecutor's Offices will fund one local prosecutor, who is cross designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, dedicated to firearm-related prosecutions.

The District will also fund the following prevention and deterrence initiatives: 1) Lamar Advertising will coordinate the annual Youth PSN Billboard Contest as part of a prevention campaign; 2) Chuck Curtis Advertising will continue to promote Operation Ceasefire, especially inside the Jackson County Jail with those inmates, through the placement of the PSN logo on recreational materials and in jail movies to promote deterrence through education of the consequences of using or carrying a gun; and 3) the Citizens Advisory Board of Missouri Probation and Parole will provide four 'lever-pulling' sessions at inner city churches in Kansas City to provide an opportunity for local law enforcement to meet with felon parolees, issuing them a warning to not carry firearms, and for members of the community to meet with the participants, encouraging them and connect them with services and support.

NCA/NCF