Idaho's Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang Initiative

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide commitment to reducing gun crime, links existing local programs together and provides them with necessary tools. PSN 1) takes a hard line against gun criminals, using every available means to create safer neighborhoods; 2) seeks to achieve heightened coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement; and 3) emphasizes tactical intelligence gathering, more aggressive prosecutions, and enhanced accountability through performance measures. The United States Attorney in each federal judicial district will lead the offensive. The fiscal agent, in coordination with the PSN Task Force, will allocate funds throughout the community.

The District of Idaho will use its FY 2008 PSN funds to continue funding two of their current projects: the Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Gang Tracking Program and the Gang Intervention Through Targeted Outreach Program. The Idaho State Police will serve as the fiscal agent for the District.

The Nampa Police Department Special Investigation Unit (SIU) will continue educating the public on gang awareness while working with the courts, probation, and other entities to successfully prosecute gang members. The SIU will continue to create public awareness and community education through meetings with other gang units in the area and providing training at local schools and community recreation centers. The SIU Assistant will record all intel calls coming from the public. All information coming into the SIU office regarding gangs and gang members will continue to be updated and maintained by the police assistant. This data is shared with other local agencies and is used to identify gang members and gang activity.

The Original Gangster's Basic Academy of Delinquency will continue to provide youth with education through a GED or on-line credited courses. The Academy provides an unconventional classroom atmosphere that is conducive and non-threatening to participants and provides them with the tools they need to complete their education. The Academy also provides job skills training in order to teach useful skills and expose the youth to an alternative lifestyle. With the cooperation of local businesses and partners, the students are trained and paid a wage for various employment provided to them through the program. Through the cooperation of a local recreation center, students are provided recreational activities such as swimming, basketball, weight lifting, and racquet ball, with no cost to the participant. This program reaches outside the normal realm of what is traditional and provides the means for at-risk youth to become productive and self-confident, therefore keeping offenders from re-offending.

NCA/NCF