FY07 Anti-Gang Initiative

The Anti-Gang Initiative provides funds to support new or expanded anti-gang enforcement and prevention efforts under the existing Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Initiative. These new funds may be used by the PSN task force to combat gangs by leveraging current strategies and partnerships developed under PSN initiatives or may be used to develop new anti-gang initiatives. The Anti-Gang initiative will be led by the United States Attorney in each of the 94 federal judicial districts across America. Grant funds will be awarded to a single fiscal agent in each of the 94 districts. The fiscal agent, in coordination with the PSN task force, will allocate the funds throughout the community to support the anti-gang initiative in that community.

The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety will use the FY 2007 Anti-Gang Initiative funds to address organized criminal gang activity. The resulting growth in gang membership has been dramatic. In 2005, the New Jersey State Police estimated that the number of New Jersey's gang members had increased from 7,500 to 17,000 in four years. A new breed of gangs, seeking to unify power and drug distribution networks over a broader geographic area, has emerged. To combat this situation, the Anti-Gang Initiative will include: (1) the continuation of the Essex-Federal Gang Suppression Partnership; (2) similar anti-gang efforts in Trenton and Camden; (3) community outreach aimed at increasing cooperation and understanding between law enforcement and citizens; and (4) witness protection, where required, for persons who testify in selected gang cases. The grant will also fund the following items: overtime, surveillance equipment and a surveillance van, after-school services, and translator services. These items coupled with collaborative partnerships among criminal justice agencies, social services providers, and community and faith-based organizations will enable the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety to accomplish their goals.

NCA/NCF