Virgin Island FY 2011 Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide commitment to reducing gun and gang crime, links existing local programs together and provides them with necessary tools. PSN 1) takes a hard line against persons involved in gun and gang crime, 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 Saint Thomas Saint John Chamber of Commerce, serving as the fiscal agent for the District of the Virgin Islands (VI), will help reduce the number of gang related criminal activities and help to reduce gun violence throughout our communities across the Territory. To help implement this goal, PSN-VI will continue to bring gang awareness to our youth in the islands by sponsoring a territory wide Anti-Gang Teen Summit. It is designed to offer the youth education, and alternatives to the gang lifestyle. This Summit will be preceded by a heavy media campaign focused on teens and their choices. This project will adopt what is working in popular media to nudge at risk youth towards a non-violent lifestyle. PSN-VI has a well established and active media outreach element that consists of law enforcement, media professionals, business leaders, and local government. Along with the Teen Summit, there will be further training for law enforcement, teachers, parents and the community as a whole, though the main focus will be on those most at risk: teenagers. PSN-VI is committed to utilizing any and all available means to spread the message, such as social media, radio, television and internet.

NCA/NCF