Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is designed to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in crime associated with gang and gun violence.

The program's effectiveness is based on the cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies engaged in a unified approach led by the U.

credit: John Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Department of Economics

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S. Attorney (USA) in each district.

The USA is responsible for establishing a collaborative PSN task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement and other community members to implement gang and gun crime enforcement, intervention, and prevention initiatives within the district.

Through the PSN task force, the USA will implement the five design features of PSN—partnerships; strategic planning, research integration, and crime analysis; training; outreach; and accountability—to address specific gun crime and gang violence, in the most violent neighborhoods.

Details on the five design features (also referred to as core elements) can be found on page 5-6 and online at www.ncjrs.gov/html/bja/205263/.The Department of Justice has transitioned the PSN program from a formula-based allocation of funding to a competitive-based program.

In a competitive environment, “need” and use of more effective, intelligence- and data-driven strategies will be key factors for funding selections, in addition to performance results and other factors.

Therefore, grant awards for FY 2014 and beyond will be made through a competitive process to encourage and focus funding in high-performing and evidence-based programs where the need is greatest and where the most violent neighborhoods, within districts, are being addressed.