FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, MAY 14, 2001
WWW.USDOJ.GOVPRESIDENT BUSH AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT ANNOUNCE
PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS
America's Network Against Gun Violence
PHILADELPHIA, PA - President George W. Bush and Attorney General John Ashcroft today at a event in Philadelphia announced Project Safe Neighborhoods: America's Network Against Gun Violence. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nation-wide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing those programs with additional tools to be successful. Under Project Safe Neighborhoods, newly appointed United States Attorneys will establish strategic partnerships between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in an intensive offensive against gun crime. Approximately $558.8 million will be committed to this initiative over 2 years with $233.6 million available this year. The funds will be used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training and develop and promote community outreach efforts. Attorney General Ashcroft said, "This initiative invigorates our enforcement efforts by networking existing local programs together and providing the tools at the local, state and national level to take gun wielding criminals off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. Our goal is to reduce gun related violence in America and to sustain that reduction. From now on, all over America, criminals will do hard time for gun crime." Under Project Safe Neighborhoods, each newly appointed United States Attorney will be directed to develop and certify to the Attorney General the implementation of a comprehensive gun violence reduction program. The initiative requires United States Attorneys to work in partnership with federal, state and local authorities to create an aggressive attack on gun violence, seeking the most punitive remedies for gun crime. Each program will consist of five core elements: partnerships; strategic planning; training; outreach and accountability. These five core elements will be part of each plan, and offer flexibility so that each program can be tailored to address the specific gun violence problem in that community. This year, 113 new federal prosecutors will be dedicated to prosecute illegal gun use under Project Safe Neighborhoods, and $75 million in grants will be used to hire and train approximately 600 non-federal gun prosecutors. In addition, $144.3 million in funding is being dedicated for other programs that will support the activities under Project Safe Neighborhoods. The FY 2002 budget request for the Department of Justice includes $189 million to continue enforcement of gun laws under this initiative and to ensure that child safety locks are available for every handgun in America. Additional funds will be used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training and develop and promote community outreach efforts. "I will hold each United States Attorney accountable for implementing the initiative and for getting results. They will be required to report to me every six months on the steps they have taken and the impact of those efforts in their community," Ashcroft said. Project Safe Neighborhoods was developed at the direction of the Attorney General by the Task Force on Gun Violence which has been working since early February 2001. The Task Force includes representatives from various components from within the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. ###
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