Deb Fischer | Wikipedia
Deb Fischer | Wikipedia
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined her colleagues this week to introduce the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act, which would reauthorize a nationwide law enforcement program that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime. U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) led the introduction of the legislation.
“Today, communities across our country are hurting as violent offenders and dangerous opioids remain on our streets. I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation to reauthorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which has a proven track record of reducing crime and protecting communities. In the Senate, I’ll continue advancing bills that support law enforcement and enhance public safety,” said Senator Fischer.
In addition to Senators Fischer and Cornyn, the legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calf.).
Background:
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime. Under this program, law enforcement agencies focus their enforcement efforts on organized criminal networks and repeat offenders that drive crime rates in a particular region. Project Safe Neighborhoods also works to build trust and partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve through coordinated outreach, public awareness, innovative tactics, and collaborative interventions.Since its inception in 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods has been successfully deployed by both Democratic and Republican administrations to reduce violent crime in large cities and smaller communities across the country. According to a Michigan State University study funded by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2013, Project Safe Neighborhoods was associated with a 13.1% decrease in violent crime in cities with a high rate of program participation. This included double-digit reductions in total firearm crimes and homicides in every city examined by the study.Specifically, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2023:
- Authorizes the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program for Fiscal Years 2024-2028 at $50 million – consistent with current appropriations levels.
- Requires participating entities to create and implement strategic plans to reduce violent crimes by focusing on criminal organizations and individuals responsible for increasing violence in a particular jurisdiction.
- Prioritizes the investigation and prosecution of individuals who have an aggravating or leadership role in a criminal organization.
- Strengthens evidence-based and data-driven intervention and prevention initiatives, including juvenile justice projects, street-level outreach, conflict mediation, the provision of treatment and social services, and improving community anti-violence norms.
- Reserves 30% of funding for established regional law enforcement task forces.
- Allows funds to be used for the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program, evidence-based programs to reduce gun crime and gang violence, community-based violence prevention initiatives, and violence education, prevention, and intervention programs.
- Improves communities’ ability to respond to opioid overdoses by promoting the hiring and training of law enforcement officials and data analysts to swiftly investigate and identify drug dealers connected to overdoses.
Original source can be found here.
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