Coordinated effort to reduce gang activity thru prrevention, intervention, enforcement and reentry programs following components of OJJDP''s gang reduction program for the area of northwest Arkansas.

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.

Arkansans for a Safer Arkansas serves as the fiscal agent for Arkansas' Western District for their FY 2007 Anti-Gang Initiative grant. The Western District will support law enforcement efforts to combat youth and gang violence in the Northwest Arkansas areas that include Sebastian, Washington, and Benton Counties. The goal of the initiative is to reduce gang-related crime by supporting enforcement efforts with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, educating at-risk youth, and offering alternatives to gang life. Specifically, the activities funded under the Anti-Gang Initiative include: educating children in elementary and middle schools of the consequences of gang participation through an anti-gang based message program; sponsoring established structured activities at the Boys and Girls club; and conducting training for law enforcement officers to address gang recognition and law enforcement practices.

NCA/NCF