NCJ Number
230363
Date Published
2010
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes some of the innovative criminal justice practices that helped shape the strategic problem solving model featured in the "New Criminal Justice," using the U.S. Justice Department's gun-violence reduction program call Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Abstract
The core components of the PSN strategy to reduce gun crime were partnerships, strategic planning, training, outreach, and accountability. Regarding partnerships, the PSN program was intended to increase partnerships between Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies through the formation of a local gun crime enforcement task force. "Strategic planning" under the PSN program requires that the Federal PSN program be tailored to local contexts. Resources were provided for the inclusion of a local research partner who would work with the PSN task force to analyze the local gun crime problem and share the findings with the task force for the development of a proactive plan for gun-crime reduction. The training included resources for ensuring that law enforcement agencies and prosecutors were trained in the effective prosecution of gun cases. The architects of PSN also recognized that increased sanctions would have the most impact if accompanied with a media campaign that threatened Federal prosecution for illegal possession and use of a gun. Regarding "accountability," the leadership of the PSN at the Federal level emphasized that PSN would focus on outcomes, i.e., reduced gun crime, rather than outputs such as arrests and cases prosecuted. The strategic problem-solving model was also based on a set of core themes: focusing resources, using research to help guide action, and expanding the boundaries of involvement. The implementation of each of these core themes in the PSN is discussed in this chapter. 2 tables and 6 notes