The expansion of key partnerships, and the presence of PSN resources, have made it possible for Maryland’s PSN Task Force to pursue a wide array of innovative approaches to gun crime:

Joint federal-local prosecution screening of firearms;
Increased federal prosecution of firearms-related cases;
Increased state or local prosecution of firearms related cases;
Deployment of street-level firearms enforcement unit(s);
Offender notification meetings;
Directed police patrol in high crime areas;
Investigations of criminal organizations and gang violence;
Clergy outreach to offenders;
Substance abuse programs;
Education Programs;
Weed and Seed initiatives;
School-based prevention; and
Hospital Trauma Center Outreach.

In addition to new and current partners, the District’s research partner has been consistently helpful in the development of the initiative. The University of Maryland, College Park is very active in conducting research requested by the Task Force, specifically assessing what future research needs may exist, refining strategies based upon research, and assessing program effectiveness. The University of Maryland was instrumental in coordinating state-wide training for Maryland PSN partners. The training was held on April 20, 2004 to provide technical assistance to Task Force members in developing their localized PSN strategy.

The Law Enforcement Coordination program has provided approximately 16 trainingprograms since 2002 to state and local law enforcement on the use of federal firearms laws to remove violent repeat offenders from their communities.

Click here for information on the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood - A Comprehensive Strategy.