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 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 Texas Office of the Attorney General, serving as the fiscal agent for the Western District of Texas, will use the grant to target the law enforcement and prosecution of gang-related crime in the Bell and Bexar Counties. Bell County District Attorney's Office will fund an assistant district attorney cross-designated to prosecute in federal court to work with federal and state agents to develop and maintain a central tracking system for identified gangs, gang members, and crimes committed by gangs. Bexar County District Attorney's Office will fund a full-time prosecutor cross-designated as an Assistant United States Attorney to focus on increased street gang and prison gang criminal activity. The prosecutor will identify and refer state cases to the federal system when they have the potential for higher federal sentences. Bexar County Juvenile Probation Office will fund two senior probation officer positions to provide prevention services to the community by conducting anti-gang and gun crime reduction presentations at schools, civic groups, and business and neighborhood associations. Bexar County Sheriff's Office will fund two deputy sheriffs' positions to patrol designated areas to identify gang members and reduce related violence and incidents of graffiti. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of El Paso will provide a coordinator which will allow for 40 new at-risk youth to be added to the mentoring program and disseminate valuable information related to gangs and gang prevention to at-risk youth.

NCA/NCF