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 Inter American University of Puerto Rico will utilize their FY07 PSN funds to support law enforcement efforts to combat gun and gang violence in the housing projects of the Cities of San Juan, Carolina, Bayamon, Ponce, and Fajardo. The District's overall goal of the initiative is to reduce gun- and gang-related crime and violence through the allocation of funds for a special team of law enforcement officers and support personnel focused solely on interdicting violent crime. Some of the goals will be to: 1) target the most violent offenders, including gang members, operating in the area and prosecute the targeted individuals through application of local and Federal statutes; 2) obtain immediate and lasting results in the reduction of violent crimes involving criminal gangs and organizations operating in the targeted areas; 3) improve the quality of life for the residents of those areas by bringing safety back to their communities; 4) dismantle criminal organizations; and 5) increase the number of leads that law enforcement agents may use to prosecute criminals more effectively.

NCA/NCF