2009 Project Safe Neighborhood 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 United Way of Southwest Alabama, serving as the fiscal agent for Alabama's Southern District, will use the grant to continue and expand the extensive training sessions currently held and offered to local law enforcement agencies. PSN training is interactive and stresses the manner in which law enforcement needs to prepare all firearm cases for consideration for federal prosecution. The proposed project intends to update and continue law enforcement training on the preparation of firearms cases for federal prosecution and support partnerships with local law enforcement and task force agents; maintain reporting of incidents of criminally-related firearm possession and violent crimes in the targeted areas; continue education efforts on gang resistance and gang activity; and continue efforts directed toward re-entry programs. Grant funds will be used for costs associated with training officers, enforcement and prosecution efforts, community education and outreach, and reentry and notification efforts. The fiscal agent will use a portion of the grant for administrative purposes.

NCA/NCF