Anti-Gang Initiative: Violence Reduction Strategies

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 Montana Board of Crime Control serves as the fiscal agent for the State of Montana's Judicial District's Fiscal Year 2007 Anti-Gang Initiative. The District is faced with three types of gangs: local street gangs; out-of District gangs primarily based in Northern California, Eastern Washington, and Seattle, Washington; and outlaw motorcycle gangs. These gangs are involved in drug and firearms trafficking, home invasion robberies, and homicide. To combat this situation, the District will utilize the Anti-Gang Initiative funds to address, at least, four objectives: 1) implement an aggressive and coordinated local, state, and federal law enforcement approach to gun and gang violence as well as illegal gun possession; 2) continue training state and local law enforcement; 3) continue outreach initiatives and begin new outreach campaigns; and 4) enact an aggressive Project Sentry juvenile and school safety initiative. Funds also could be allocated to existing multi-jurisdictional violent crime task forces in Montana.

NCA/NCF