Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2007, $187,983)
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 North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety serves as the fiscal agent for the Middle District's FY07 PSN grant. The District is facing a growing number of crimes involving weapons and gang activity: in Alamance County, 18 of 81 aggravated assaults involved firearms and the City of Burlington had 57 of 225 involving firearms; Cabarrus County showed an increase of 133 percent in homicides from 2003 to 2004; and Salisbury and Rowan Counties continue to experience violent criminal behavior within their communities. To combat this situation, the District will utilize its PSN award to sub-grant funds to conduct the following activities: fund three full-time resource coordinator positions; hire two researchers to review and analyze crime data; attend conferences and sponsor a media campaign; provide printing for educational materials to the public; perform community risk assessments and program evaluations; and provide substance abuse in-house treatment and drug screening for violent offenders.
NCA/NCF