Asian Criminal Enterprise Initiative

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The City of Westminster will implement the Asian Criminal Enterprise Initiative in the Little Saigon area of Westminster. The central purpose of the initiative is to reduce the incidence of crime that stems from Asian Criminal Enterprises (ACE). The Westminster Police Department (WPD) will relocate its entire Special Investigations Unit to Little Saigon, strategically located within the hub of ACE operations, and do its own information identification, intelligence gathering, and investigation. WPD will develop and establish a relationship with the community by promoting its presence and accessibility in the Little Saigon area. WPD will expand community outreach efforts via educational lectures on crime prevention and gang violence. This will establish an easy resource for questions from community groups and individuals. WPD will also establish collaborative investigative relationships with federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Immigration and Custom Enforcement.

NCA/CF