Eastern District of Arkansas FY 2011 PSN 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 Department of Finance Administration, serving as the fiscal agent for the Eastern District of Arkansas, will support five components and partnerships with local law enforcement agencies in each of the target PSN areas in the Eastern District of Arkansas. By incorporating research, supporting youth education, and enhancing investigation and law enforcement effectiveness by providing additional resources of man hours and equipment, the PSN/Anti-Gang Project will combat gun and gang violence on multiple levels and to obtain information that will help form strategies for combating gun and gang violence more effectively in the future. The following objectives will be completed: 1) to engage a research partner to more effectively prevent and combat gun and gang violence; 2) to continue to assist the Jefferson County Prosecutor's Office in the effective and aggressive prosecution of gun and gang related offenses by assisting in the investigation of gun and gang related crimes; 3) to reduce criminal activity in targeted areas of Little Rock by identifying different gangs and membership; 4) to reduce criminal activity in targeted areas of North Little Rock by conducting increased patrols in high crime areas and to utilize an Automatic License Plate Reader to more efficiently conduct patrols in high crime areas; 5) to assist in sponsoring a gun and gang crime education component in Pine Bluff through the Pine Bluff Police Department's P.A.Y. Day Camp.

NCA/NCF