FY 2008 PSN Initiative

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide commitment to reducing gun crime, links existing local programs together and provides them with necessary tools. PSN takes a hard line against gun criminals, using every available means to create safer neighborhoods; seeks to achieve heightened coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement; and 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 Northeast Council of Governments, serving as the fiscal agent for the District of South Dakota, will use the grant to fund a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) position and support the School Safety Conference training for law enforcement officers. The primary focus of the SAUSA has been to prosecute juvenile, gang, and gun-related criminal activity on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservation areas, the two largest Indian reservations in South Dakota. The School Safety Conference events are sponsored by the U.S. Attorney's Office, and provides training for school resource officers throughout the state, emphasizing school violence awareness and prevention. The conference will assist with efforts to provide safer schools and reduced gun and gang crime in rural areas.

NCA/NCF