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 Northern District of Illinois is comprised of 18 counties, and includes the city of Chicago and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, as well as the second and third largest cities in the state. Despite a decline in violent crime over the past few years, the murder rate in Chicago remains high with recent gun and gang violence threatening to spike crime rates. In addition, Chicago's position at the center of a road transportation hub has created efficient pathways for the expansion of gang activity to nearby suburbs and surrounding counties. Through the grant, funds will be applied toward core PSN projects that include support of the Chicago Police Department gun teams, the funding of a dedicated gun prosecutor in the Office of the Cook County State's Attorney, forums for parolees that link participants with available services, and a gun violence education project at a regional hospital. The University of Illinois, Champaign will serve as the fiscal agent for this award.

NCA/NCF