FY 09 Colorado Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative

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 Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, serving as the fiscal agent for the District of Colorado, will use the grant to support both firearm and gang-related initiatives. Specifically, key elements will include providing overtime and investigative resources to law enforcement personnel; increasing the number of adult and juvenile defendants prosecuted for firearms violations and gun-related crime; developing and implementing initiatives to address the emerging problem of gangs in Colorado prisons; increasing public safety in and around schools through education, outreach, and prevention of juvenile gun and gang violence; and developing and delivering appropriate statewide training programs for local law enforcement, judges, probation and parole officers, investigators, and district attorneys regarding the key provisions of state and federal firearm statutes and juvenile firearm laws. The District of Colorado and the PSN task force will continue to partner with the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies in an effort to successfully implement the PSN/Anti-Gang strategy. The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with the PSN selection committee and task force, will coordinate the planning and implementation of this initiative. Sub-recipients will be determined by the fiscal agent once the grant is awarded.

NCA/NCF