Providence Gun Violence Prevention and Gang Reduction Initiative

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The Providence Police Department will implement the Providence Gun Violence Prevention and Gang Reduction Initiative. The Initiative is designed to reduce gun and gang-related crimes and violence by and among the 14 organized gangs operating in the City of Providence. They will fund personnel (overtime) costs, contracted services, and other associated expenses, including foot patrols in known "hotspot" areas and high crime neighborhoods. The Providence Police Department will integrate the Youth Services Bureau detectives with the other detective divisions, provide training opportunities concerning gun and gang-related violence prevention strategies to officers, support a gun buy back program in collaboration with the local clergy, expand the Gang Intervention Unit, obtain the services of more StreetWorkers and trained mental health clinicians, and provide youth sports and mentoring programs for at-risk youth. The goals of the Initiative include: reducing firearms-related crimes committed by juveniles and adults; reducing gang-related crime committed by juveniles and adults; performing periodic assessments of the Gun Crime Prevention and Anti-Gang Strategy effectiveness; committing law enforcement resources to combat the low-level transient street gangs; and using the Northeast Anti-Gang Consortium as a forum to provide training on the latest regional and national gang trends and tendencies.

NCA/NCF