COMMUNITY

PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS
In May 2001, President Bush and the Department of Justice announced Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America. The PSN initiative asks U.S. Attorney's Offices to form partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies; develop a plan to intensify federal gun law enforcement; provide combined training for federal and local law enforcement pertaining to firearms; and work with neighborhoods to promote community involvement and to send a deterrent message. Over $1 billion was committed to PSN in the first four years. The funds are being used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training, and develop and promote community outreach efforts.

Part of this effort includes the Southern Nevada PSN Task Force, a team of law enforcement officers and prosecutors who meet on a weekly basis to discuss arrests involving guns and explosives. Since January 2002, the Task Force has reviewed for prosecution some 2,157 gun cases – approximately 540 firearms cases a year. From 2002 to 2005, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Las Vegas prosecuted 698 individuals with federal gun crimes - the highest numbers ever recorded by the District of Nevada. From July 1, 2003, to December 31, 2005 – 223 defendants were sentenced for federal gun crimes in the United States District Court in Las Vegas. Approximately 40 % received sentences of imprisonment of at least five years, and approximately 75 % received sentences of imprisonment of at least 3 years. A like number were prosecuted by the Clark County District Attorney’s Office and sentenced in the state court system.

In addition to the Task Force, the following PSN grants and awards have been made to Nevada partners in order to support the elements of PSN:

FISCAL YEAR 2005:
Clark County District Attorney’s Office - $37,404
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - $37,404
FISCAL YEAR 2004:
Washoe County Sheriff's Office - $191,689
Join Together Northern Nevada - $104,673
FISCAL YEAR 2003:
Washoe County Sheriff's Office - $187,978
Join Together Northern Nevada - $102,025
Advisory Council for Prosecuting Attorneys - $10,000
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - $40,080
FISCAL YEARS 2001 & 2002:
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - Media Outreach and Community Engagement Award ($170,000)
21st Century Solutions, Inc. - Research Partner/Crime Analyst Award ($150,000)
Clark County District Attorney's Office - Project Safe Neighborhoods Community Gun Violence Prosecution Program ($480,000)

Further information about PSN can be obtained at www.projectsafeneighborhoods.gov

Questions about the District of Nevada's PSN initiative should be directed to PSN Coordinators Bill Reed in Las Vegas, (702) 388-6336, and Don Gifford in Reno, (775) 784-5438.

 OPERATION WEED AND SEED
A strategy within the U.S. Department of Justice Community Capacity Development Office that incorporates community-based initiatives. It is an innovative and comprehensive multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and community revitalization. Operation Weed and Seed aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the country. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization. A community-orientated policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies. Officers obtain helpful information from area residents for weeding efforts, while they aid residents in obtaining information about community revitalization and seeding resources.

The District of Nevada has two officially-recognized Weed and Seed sites: one in Northeast Reno, and another in Southeast Reno. The Reno strategy includes identifying, arresting and prosecuting gang members and drug dealers in the targeted areas, community policing, such as the Adopt-A-School Program which connects local law enforcement officers to schools, students and parents, a Student Technology and Education Program (STEP); a Training, Employment, and Computer Lab (TEC); Strictly Business, which teaches youth about investment and small business principles; and Beauty & Beyond, a self-esteem building program for teenage girls.