Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2007, $188,737)
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 Western District's FY07 PSN grant. The District has identified re-entry as a problem with violent crime in Mecklenburg County. In 2006, the North Carolina Department of Corrections released 930 offenders in the county, with 236 of those having served their sentence for a very serious or violent felony, including firearm related crimes. The District has found that released offenders have a high recidivism rate if they do not receive income from employment.
The District will use PSN funds to: 1) Increase the number of employed ex-offenders by providing personnel to work with various agencies to produce successful re-entry; 2) Continue the implementation of the Statesville Hoops and Hope program, which is designed to reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency and gang involvement while promoting positive development through athletic enrichment, life skills training, and mentoring; 3) Expand the City of Shelby's midnight basketball program in three locations to reach more youth through the provision of key personnel such as mentors, teachers, and coaches, and rental space to conduct the basketball programs; 4) Fund a case manager and resource coordinator to oversee programmatic activities as well as to travel to conferences; and 5) Conduct a media campaign through the provision of printing supplies for educational materials.
NCA/NCF