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.

Savannah Technical College serves as the fiscal agent for the Southern District of Georgia's Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Anti-Gang Initiative. The District has three major metropolitan areas: Savannah, Augusta, and Brunswick. These areas are comprised of rural regions where an increase in gang presence is evident. Gangs who reside in these areas derive their principal source of income from illegal drug distribution and trafficking ' especially methamphetamine, theft, and gun trafficking. Local law enforcement has reported the possible presence of nationally recognized gang groups in the Brunswick area. Some of the street gangs consist of individuals ranging in age from 15 to 35 years old and who fight over their 'turf,' from which they engage in drug distribution activities. The District will address and prevent further gang-related crimes and gun violence by implementing programs that involve strict enforcement and investigation efforts, and include an aggressive media campaign.

The District will combat gang-related crimes and gun violence by focusing on the three largest areas, namely Savannah (Chatham County), Augusta (Richmond County), and Brunswick (Glynn County). Funds will be allocated towards the following projects: (1) Spanish language training for law enforcement (expand current trainings to the areas of Savannah and Augusta); (2) anti-gang investigations training (provide multi-level gang training to law enforcement command staff and investigators to assist officers in recognizing and reporting signs of gang activity within their precincts); (3) victim-witness support training (assure victims and witnesses of gang crimes are afforded all available rights and services, and train law enforcement on informing citizens of these rights); (4) graffiti eradication (continue funding established graffiti eradication programs and maintain a database of symbols); and (5) media campaign (raising community awareness on the dangers and consequences of gang involvement by implementing aggressive media efforts through bus, billboard, radio, television, and print advertising, and through talk shows). Federal funds will cover travel (local anti-gang conference and National PSN Conference); equipment (cameras, audio transmitters, and computers); contracts (evaluation services, media advertising, and law enforcement trainings); and administrative costs.

NCA/CF