District of Columbia PSN Project

The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program is designed to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in crime associated with gang and gun violence. The program's effectiveness is based on the cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies engaged in a unified approach led by the U.S. Attorney (USA) in each district. The USA is responsible for establishing a collaborative PSN task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement and other community members to implement gang and gun crime enforcement, intervention and prevention initiatives within the district. Through the PSN task force, the USA will implement the five design features of PSN--partnerships, strategic planning, training, outreach, and accountability--to address specific gun and gang crime problems in that district.

The Office of Justice Grants Administration and Victim Services (OJVGAS), serving as the fiscal agent for the District of Columbia, will use the grant funds to address violent crime and gun violence reduction strategies in the District. The goals of the PSN funded project are a reduction in youth gang related incidents; an increase in positive outcomes for youth at high risk in gang involvement, and to increase community cooperation through training and targeted outreach. OJGAVS will sub-award funds to two collaboratives, the Columbia Heights/Shaw and East River, for research based positive youth development services and fund evaluation services through research partner George Mason University.

CA/NCF