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 Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, serving as the fiscal agent for the Western District of Louisiana, will use the grant to coordinate law enforcement and prevention activities that reduce violent crime. The 16th Judicial District Attorney's Office (Iberia, St. Mary, and St. Martin Parishes) will pay salary costs for a PSN coordinator to provide assistance to local law enforcement agencies in the recovery of illegal firearms. Lake Charles Police Department will fund officer overtime for the Operation Trigger Time program. Funds will also be used for officer overtime and training for the Operation Night Ops program. The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office (Morehouse and Ouachita Parishes) will fund a Prevention Coordinator for an anti-gang initiative and gun crime prevention program targeting children and youth ages 8-26 in high risk crime areas. The Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office will pay officer overtime to conduct enforcement efforts through saturation patrols and drug traffic interdiction. Funds will also be used for equipment for evidence collecting. West Monroe Police Department will purchase a video/audio recorder and repeater to increase surveillance and combat the gang problem. The Shreveport Police Department (city of Shreveport/Caddo Parish) will pay overtime for detectives working to identify and dismantle gangs and criminal organization and also to investigate gun-related crimes and to conduct enforcement initiatives throughout the city of Shreveport. Funds will also be used for computer software to compile statistical data.

NCA/NCF