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Press Release
Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced several Department of Justice actions to reduce the rising tide of violent crime in America. Foremost of those actions is the reinvigoration of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
In announcing this recommitment to Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Attorney General issued a memo directing United States Attorneys to implement an enhanced violent crime reduction program that incorporates the lessons learned since Project Safe Neighborhoods launched in 2001.
The PSN program strives to identify the most violent locations in the district and the individuals who drive the gun and gang violence in our cities. PSN partners then develop and bring cases against those who commit violent crimes. Ultimately, the coordinated effort ensures that the most violent offenders are prosecuted in the legal venue that provides the most certain and appropriate penalty.
In a statement on the program, the Attorney General said: “According to the FBI, the violent crime rate has risen by nearly seven percent over the past two years, and the homicide rate has risen by more than 20 percent. We cannot be complacent or hope that this is just an anomaly: we have a duty to take action.
“Fortunately, we have a President who understands that and has directed his administration to reduce crime. The Department of Justice today announces the foundation of our plan to reduce crime: prioritizing Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been proven to work.
“Let me be clear – Project Safe Neighborhoods is not just one policy idea among many. This is the centerpiece of our crime reduction strategy.
“Taking what we have learned since the program began in 2001, we have updated it and enhanced it, emphasizing the role of our U.S. Attorneys, the promise of new technologies, and above all, partnership with local communities. With these changes, I believe that this program will be more effective than ever and help us fulfill our mission to make America safer.”
The United States Attorney’s office for the Eastern District has participated in the PSN program since its inception in 2001, and continues to engage in programs aimed at curbing violent crime in Pulaski County and surrounding areas. For example, for the past 18 months the U.S. Attorney’s office has collaborated with the Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s office to target for federal prosecution those violent criminals with significant criminal history involved in gun crimes. In addition, since July the U.S. Attorney’s office has actively participated in the violent crimes task force GET Rock, aimed at combatting the upswing in local gang violence.
“This office remains committed to implementing policies to enhance the Project Safe Neighborhoods framework,” said Patrick C. Harris, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “We continue to believe that PSN’s collaborative and targeted approach to enforcement efforts will result in the greatest reduction in violent crime. This reinvigoration of PSN emphasizes strong federal involvement, building partnerships with local law enforcement and community stakeholders, targeted enforcement in those areas most affected by violent crime, and outreach efforts designed to prevent violent crime before it occurs. We look forward to continuing our work with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to target criminal organizations and aggressively remove violent offenders from the streets.”
The Attorney General also announced the following Department of Justice initiatives to help reduce violent crime:
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