FY 2008 Project Safe Neighborhoods 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 City of Knoxville, serving as the fiscal agent for the Eastern District of Tennessee, will use the grant to combat increasing gang activity and drug manufacturing around Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities area (Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol). The fiscal agent will allocate the administrative costs to officer overtime to focus on PSN and Anti-Gang enforcement efforts. They will also sub-contract with the Helen Ross McNabb Children and Youth Center, a regional mental health center dedicated to improving the health and safety of children. There are currently 96 juveniles known to be involved in 25 gangs within the city of Knoxville. This intervention approach is designed to reach juvenile offenders before they enter the prison system. Funds will be used to hire a staff member to increase the program capacity by 15 youth each year and monitor adjudicated youths who are at high risk for continued delinquent behavior and committed to state custody. A therapist position will also be funded to address the needs of individual and family therapy, specifically around issues related to alcohol and drug abuse and sexual offending behaviors.

NCA/NCF