Project Safe Neighborhoods

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) represents a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States. In 2001 President George W. Bush created PSN to deter and punish gun crimes by linking federal, state and local law enforcement, prosecutors and community leaders to provide local programs with the resources they need to succeed. The program aims to meet its goals by implementing programs that encompasses PSN's five core elements: partnerships, strategic planning, training, outreach, and accountability.

PSN Objectives in Massachusetts

In order to meet the national goals of PSN the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts has targeted several cities within the state. The U.S. Attorney's Office used data from the Uniform Crime Report (UCR), local police department reports and anecdotal evidence to identify the PSN-targeted cities. Among these targeted cities, the U.S. Attorney's Office has partnered with the Executive Office of Public Safety to support adult- and juvenile-related gun violence reduction strategies. Each of the funded sites have implemented programs that meet the following nine objectives:

• Implement programs and policies that work to reduce firearm-related crime
• Encourage effective, ongoing collaborative arrangements with federal partners and establish new cooperative agreements where necessary
• Enhance the partnership between the local police departments, state police, federal law enforcement partner, local nonprofit organizations, and probation or parole involved in the programs
• Strengthen pre-trial and re-entry service programs for adult and juvenile offenders at risk of becoming involved in firearm-related violence upon release
• Implement anti-gang measures through innovative and collaborative initiatives
• Create a strategy for improving the methods for identifying firearm-related crime patterns and gang activity
• Develop and/or enhance non-traditional partnerships between the faith-based and community-based programs and law enforcement
• Develop policies, educational programs, and training for police departments to improve statistical maintenance of all gun-related calls for service and arrests

PSN Awards in Massachusetts

In federal FY03, five cities received PSN two years of funding to implement both an adult- and juvenile-based program. There also were two special grants awarded that focused on improving the statewide ballistics identification and tracking system and ability to restore obliterated serial numbers on guns recovered. Additionally, a research partner was identified to provide the sites with technical assistance as well as to conduct evaluations of the programs.

In federal FY04, two research partners were funded to provide technical assistance to PSN sites and to evaluate the effect of PSN funding. A media campaign targeted toward at-risk youth against gun violence was funded, as well as a District Attorney's Office to supplement dedicated PSN prosecutors' salaries. In federal FY05, five District Attorney's Offices were awarded funds to support two prosecutors who deal with PSN cases.

In federal FY06, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales introduced a new PSN initiative focused on combating gang violence. The Anti-Gang Initiative will build on the effective partnerships and strategies developed through PSN through anti-gang enforcement and prevention efforts and the provision of training and technical assistance. Federal FY06 PSN Anti-Gun and Anti-Gang funds have yet to be awarded.

For more information, visit the National Project Safe Neighborhoods website.

FY2004 Quarterly Progress Report Form 
FY2005 Quarterly Progress Report Form 
PSN Quarterly Financial Report Form 

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Stanton, Grant Manager, at Kevin.Stanton@state.ma.us.