Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2007, $627,409)
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 Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) serves as the fiscal agent for the Western District's Fiscal Year 2007 Anti-Gang Initiative. The District is made up of 69 counties, most of which are rural areas, which have been experiencing an increase in gang activity. The OAG maintains a database in which cities and counties report gang information. According to the system's data, approximately 500 plus gangs are present in both El Paso and San Antonio. The District will address and prevent further gang-related crimes and violence by implementing programs that involve strict prosecution and enforcement efforts.
Due to the alarming increase in gang violence, the OAG will utilize the Anti-Gang Initiative funds to award seven sub-grants to help combat gang-related crimes and gun violence through increased prosecution, investigation, and prevention efforts. Specifically, funds will be allocated to the following jurisdictions and agencies: (1) Bell County District Attorney's Office (fund an assistant district attorney who is cross-designated to prosecute in federal court); (2) Bell County Juvenile Probation Office (provide gang prevention and education lectures in every school within the district, including modified lectures to law enforcement and the community; and ensure gang-related graffiti removal efforts); (3) Bexar County District Attorney's Office (fund a full-time prosecutor who is cross-designated as an Assistant United States Attorney); (4) Bexar County Sheriff's Office (continue funding two deputy sheriffs to patrol designated areas to identify gang members); (5) Big Brothers and Big Sisters (mentor youth on dangers and risks of gang involvement and disseminate gang prevention/education materials); (6) Medina County Sheriff's Office (continue employing one deputy sheriff to identify, document, and track active gang members residing within the County); and (7) Odessa Crime Stoppers, Inc. (identify gang members and document these individuals in a web application database that will be accessible and shared by surrounding law enforcement agencies; document prison gang members released on parole in the surrounding area; promote anti-gang messages via various media campaign approaches, such as billboards, PSAs, transit messages, etc.; and operate a 'tips line' for the public to anonymously report gang activity). Federal funds will cover personnel and fringe (administrative costs); travel (local meetings and out-of state PSN conference); contracts (seven sub-recipients: personnel, equipment, supplies, media campaigns, training/travel, cell phones, etc.); and other costs (rental fees for local anti-gang conference).
NCA/NCF