FY 2009 Project Safe Neighborhoods ' Western District of Tennessee

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 University of Memphis, serving as the fiscal agent for the Western District of Tennessee, will use the grant to implement strategies that aggressively focus on the prevention and prosecution of violent gun and gang-related crimes in Shelby County. This will be accomplished through specialized surveillance and confiscation of guns, enhanced prosecution efforts, coordination of youth violence and gang prevention and intervention efforts, and the coordination of community resources. Key elements of the initiative will be completed by the Memphis Police Department, which will use PSN funds to purchase an undercover vehicle for investigators tasked with surveillance and enforcement activities, and stipends for two district attorneys in the Shelby County District Attorney's Office, who will prosecute gun cases.

NCA/NCF