By Ed Somers
May 21, 2007

In response to rising crime rates in many cities across the country, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has unveiled a new Department of Justice (DOJ) initiative to assist federal, state and local law enforcement. A part of DOJ’s “Initiative for Safer Communities,” the May 15 announcement calls for more prosecutors, new training, additional funds, enhanced prevention efforts and a crack down on the most violent offenders.

DOJ is making $125 million available to state and local governments and law enforcement to prevent and control crime, and support the administration of justice through the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program. This funding was made available by the 110th Congress when earmarks were eliminated and DOJ was given flexibility in administering the Byrne discretionary program.

It is important to note that cities and local law enforcement can apply directly to DOJ for this funding, and do not need to go through the states. And while encouraged, a match is not required.

A particular focus of this grant program is to support law enforcement task forces. Applicants may submit their proposal under any one of the following categories:

• Category I: Targeting Violent Crime

• Category II: Preventing Crime and Drug Abuse

• Category III: Enhancing Local Law Enforcement

• Category IV: Enhancing Local Courts

• Category V: Enhancing Local Corrections and Offender Reentry

Applicants for Category I must be a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency. Available funding for this category is depicted in the table shown.

The complete application information is available at www.usdoj.gov/bja. And, potential applicants can call BJA’s 1-800 number and a special e-mail has been set up: Byrne.Discretionary@usdoj.gov.

In addition to the Byrne grants, the plan includes:

• DOJ will hire at least 70 prosecutors to enable U.S. Attorney’s Offices to increase efforts to prosecute violent crime.

• Federal law enforcement will conduct coordinated fugitive sweeps and takedowns in six additional cities this calendar year.

• The U.S. Marshals Service will conduct a Fugitive Safe Surrender program in at least three additional cities this calendar year.

• ATF will expand the “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program to educate federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to detect and deter illegal “straw purchases.”

• ATF will also expand their Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT) initiative, which has already targeted crime in 25 cities, to include five additional cities in the next year.

• The FBI has expanded its Violent Gang and Violent Crime Safe Streets Task Forces to seven additional locations, bringing the total number of Safe Streets Task Forces to 176, and will add at least two more by the end of the year.

• DOJ will provide comprehensive anti-gang training for state and local law enforcement and other partners around the nation.

• DOJ will offer expanded gun and gang violence reduction training and technical assistance for state and local law enforcement and community partners through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).