District of New Mexico 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 Mexico Department of Public Safety serves as the fiscal agent for the District of New Mexico's Fiscal Year 2007 Anti-Gang Initiative. New Mexico gangs contribute to high rates of violent crime, instill fear in citizens, and engage in a wide range of criminal activity: vandalism, graffiti, drug trafficking, burglary, auto theft, intimidation and extortion, felonious assault, and murder. To combat this situation, the District will direct its funding to the suppression, intervention, and prevention of gang activity. It will also supplement anti-gang prevention and enforcement efforts operated by state, county, corrections, court, and child youth and family organizations. To accomplish this task, the District will work closely with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) task forces to implement strategies that target Weed and Seed communities and will also leverage funds to conduct patrols and tactical operations aimed at eradicating gangs and gang-related violent crimes. The District will also continue to work with public schools to implement community based anti-gang prevention strategies for children, youth, and families. Funds will also support the Violent Probationer Enhanced Response (VIPER) program that was created to enhance public awareness of potential repeat violent gang offenders in the community and the program also enhances collaborative efforts between law enforcement and anti-gang coordinators. Funding will also support the District's media partner, Rick Johnson & Company, to develop community outreach and public awareness materials aimed at shaping anti-gang attitudes in the community. Outreach materials will be distributed across the state with the goal of promoting visibility of anti-gang initiatives.

NCA/NCF