U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray Commemorates First Anniversary Of The Reinvigoration Of Project Safe Neighborhoods

               CONCORD - One year ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders to make lasting reductions in crime.

          Throughout the past year, we have partnered with all levels of law enforcement, local organizations, and members of the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Federal, state and local law enforcement, state and federal department of corrections and federal and state prosecutors meet regularly at the United States Attorney’s Office to share intelligence, and develop strategies to combat violent crime in New Hampshire.  Often this strategy involves combatting crimes involving firearms and drugs.  A key part of this strategy involves targeting those who illegally purchase firearms for felons.  We also target those who obtain firearms for other individuals who are prohibited from possessing guns.

          “Project Safe Neighborhoods is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs.  I have empowered our United States Attorneys to focus enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in their districts, and directed that they work together with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems they face.  Each United States Attorney has prioritized the PSN program, and I am confident that it will continue to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities.” 

          “As a county prosecutor and now as United States Attorney, I have seen firsthand that Project Safe Neighborhoods can directly improve public safety in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In the midst of New Hampshire’s opioid crisis, an immediate benefit of the program is that it targets drug traffickers who use firearms. Selling drugs is an inherently dangerous business and dealers routinely use firearms to intimidate or harm rivals. By denying guns to drug dealers, we reduce the likelihood of collateral injury to the public. This program is a partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who are working to protect our citizens from violent crime and crimes involving firearms.  By working together to identify the individuals whose actions are threatening public safety, we seek to make sure that all New Hampshire residents truly live in safe neighborhoods.”

          As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, here are some of the highlights of our PSN actions over the past year:

         New Hampshire was one of three states with a population under two million to receive a grant to combat violent crime.  Specifically, the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police and the New Hampshire Department of Corrections received $200,000 to combat violent crime.  These efforts include the identification of “hot spots” in Manchester where law enforcement partners are conducting enhanced patrols and probation and parole checks.  Additionally, law enforcement officers are using ATF ballistics technology to identify those involved in shootings and sources of crime guns, as well as other focused deterrence activities.  Lastly, we are in the process of developing a statewide social media campaign to combat violent crime.

          Throughout the last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF have traveled throughout the state to conduct trainings for state and local law enforcement on federal firearms law and tools to investigate violent crime.

          Additionally, the U.S Attorney’s Office has hired an additional Assistant United States Attorney who will focus on prosecuting violent crimes.

          Among the successful PSN prosecutions in the past year are:

• Michael Burghart, of Manchester, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Manchester Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Illegal Firearm Possession
   
• Daniel Sullivan, of Manchester, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Manchester Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms
   
• Kaisle Raikes, of Manchester, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for drug trafficking and possessing a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Manchester Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses
   
• Yoelfi Feliz, of Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced to 70 months in prison for firearms-related charges to obtain guns in exchange for drugs.  Lawrence, Massachusetts Man Sentenced on Firearm Charges
   
• Jessica Fithian of Manchester was sentenced to six months in prison for “straw purchasing” firearms for Matthew Bergeron, a convicted felon from Massachusetts.  Bergeron was sentenced to six years in prison.  Manchester Woman Sentenced to 6-months Straw Purchase Firearm for Massachusetts Felon

          These enforcement actions and partnerships are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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