2007 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 St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will use the PSN grant to fund prevention and enforcement programs. The Eastern District of Missouri will fund the following initiatives: 1) The North Patrol Division will implement the Assault First Initiative through the funding of overtime for 12 police officers, 2 Sergeants, and 1 Lieutenant who will address firearm-related assault crimes in the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Districts; 2) The Ninth District will fund overtime for three police officers, one Sergeant, and one Lieutenant, and will purchase eight surveillance cameras in order to identify, document, and actively pursue for criminal prosecution any violent criminal, gang member, or associate participating in criminal activity in the target neighborhoods of Forest Park Southeast and Central West End; 3) The Jennings Police Department will fund their GREAT program and training for GREAT officers, reaching 600 students in elementary and middle school and conducting an Evening Parent Program; and 4) The Forest Park Improvement Association will implement their Block Captain Initiative, which is designed to assign accountability to residents and promote grassroots leadership in the neighborhoods of Forest Park Southeast, Kings Oak, Tiffany, and Botanical Heights in order to reduce crime.

NCA/NCF