FY 2009 Project Safe Neighborhoods ' Southern District of West Virginia

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 West Virginia Division of Criminal Justice Services, serving as the fiscal agent for the Southern District of West Virginia, will use the grant to support firearm and gang-related initiatives. Specifically, key objectives will include the hiring of assistant prosecutors to work solely on cases involving guns and/or gangs, the identification and prosecution of individuals involved in the illegal trafficking and use of firearms throughout the district, and educating at-risk youth of the serious nature and consequences of illegal firearms use. The West Virginia Division of Criminal Justice Services and the PSN task force will continue to partner with the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies in an effort to successfully implement the PSN strategy.

NCA/NCF