NCJ Number
203668
Date Published
2003
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This document discusses innovative practices across the country regarding Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Abstract
PSN operates under the theory that personal contact and personal relationships are what makes partnerships work. Many approaches are being used by law enforcement agencies to ensure productive partnerships. Consistent communication between the United States Attorney’s Office and local line officers is often cited as an integral component of any well-functioning PSN initiative. Several successful PSN plans involve collaboration with outside offices or institutions as a way of acquiring useful information. This information is used to target specific areas that could benefit significantly from the PSN initiative. Several districts use partnerships with local universities to analyze hot spots of criminal activity, as well as to measure the success of the programs they implement. Several districts work with Federal, State, and local law enforcement to create programs that appear to be effective in reducing violent crime in their areas. Collaborative training programs have been invaluable tools in training local law enforcement officers. These programs operate on a sense of partnership, involve officers in the prosecutorial process, and inform local law enforcement of the goals of PSN. Other successful PSN plans have targeted student-age children as an audience for programs aimed at reducing violence in schools. Many PSN programs use technology to increase efficiency and accuracy in the prosecutorial process. Technology can be used effectively to expedite arrests, inform arresting officers of Federal firearm laws, and research offenders’ backgrounds. The acceleration of the arrest process serves also as a significant deterrent for potential offenders. 9 appendices