Overview
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a Department of Justice nationwide violent-crime reduction initiative coordinated by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAOs). PSN brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors and community leaders to identify that community’s most pressing violent crime problems and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
Find information on the state-funded Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative.
PSN Goals and Objectives for Massachusetts
The USAO for the District of Massachusetts coordinates PSN through an Interagency Leadership Team, which includes local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) has served as the PSN grant fiscal agent in Massachusetts since the program was created.
In Massachusetts, PSN is focused on efforts in eight geographic areas where partner agencies are laser focused on local issues that drive violent crime. These locations are:
- Boston,
- Brockton,
- Holyoke,
- Lawrence,
- Lowell,
- New Bedford,
- Springfield, and
- Worcester.
PSN Grant Funding
Each year, PSN funds support a number of programs to reduce violent crime in Massachusetts. These have included Law Enforcement Equipment and Technology Grant Opportunity, Post-Incarceration Reentry Services to Reduce Recidivism in the Cities of Springfield and Holyoke and other initiatives.
OGR works closely with the PSN Interagency Leadership Team to distribute PSN funds to achieve goals, which include:
- Use promising or evidence-based prevention and intervention programs and activities to strengthen youth and family protective factors in areas where violent groups recruit,
- Promote an anti-violence lifestyle through the use of a multimedia outreach campaign designed by youth,
- Improve violent crime investigations, officer safety and community perceptions of safety, and
- Enhance law enforcement officers’ knowledge and skills.
Want to learn about available funding opportunities? View our Current Funding Opportunities page or sign up to receive email notifications as grants become available.