BJA FY08 Anit-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 PSN task force for the District of Kansas will continue initiatives to combat gang and firearm-related violence and crime. The Kansas Office the Attorney General will use the grant funds to support grant related activities conducted by the Dodge City Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations. The Dodge City Police Department will enhance the quality of life in their community by reducing the number of gang members, the amount of crime committed by gang members and their associates, and the fear of crime. The department will investigate individuals, both juveniles and adults, with an emphasis on gang members who commit violent crimes while carrying a firearm; investigate individuals with an extensive criminal history that commit crimes while armed or illegally possess a firearm; investigate individuals that sell firearms to these individuals; and assist in state and federal prosecution of offenders. Overtime will be used for the Street Crime Unit officers and detectives to conduct these investigations. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will support a statewide gang prosecutor to assist with the prosecution of state and federal gang related cases. The goal is to prevent a backlog of these cases across the state. The prosecutor will maintain a caseload of 30-45 cases annually, and the caseload will be monitored for quantity, movement of cases through the judicial system, and the resultant sentences.

NCA/NCF