FY08 District of Rhode Island Project Safe Neighborhoods Project

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 Rhode Island Public Saftey Grant Administration Office, serving as the fiscal agent for the District of Rhode Island, will use the grant to support a coordinated approach to reduce crime in the city of Providence. The city of Providence, the state capital and the second largest city in New England, is bound by major roadways and interstate highways that afford easy access into and out of the city. This makes Providence a popular distribution center for drugs, weapons, and a vulnerable target for gang infiltration and violent crime. The goals of the PSN project are to reduce firearms-related crimes committed by juveniles and adults in the city of Providence; reduce gang-related crime committed by juveniles and adults in the city of Providence; complete periodic assessments of the PSN and Anti-Gang strategy effectiveness; commit law enforcement resources to combat low-level transient street gangs; and provide training on the latest regional and national gang trends and tendencies. Grant funds will be used to pay for police overtime and the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence (ISPN) streetworker outreach activities. Participating agencies include the U.S. Attorney's Office, State Attorney General's Office, city of Providence, ISPN (Streetworkers Program), and the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety.

NCA/NCF