“If you use a gun illegally, you will do hard time.”
-- President George W. Bush
Formerly known as the Saint Louis Regional Ceasefire Initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is an aggressive, comprehensive gun crime reduction strategy. PSN was initiated by President George W. Bush and then Attorney General John Ashcroft in 2001.
PSN provides a multifaceted approach to deterring and punishing gun crime and gang violence by linking federal, state and local law enforcement, prosecutors and willing community leaders. PSN represents a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime and gang violence by providing locally-based members of law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
PSN is continually tailored to address the unique gun crime and gang violence present within the Eastern District of Missouri. PSN includes, among other things: (1) federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships; (2) collaboration with the University of Missouri-Saint Louis to utilize research tools such as crime mapping to assist strategic planning for crime reduction, and collaboration with federal agencies to utilize technology, such as gun tracing and ballistics analysis to deter gun crime; (3) providing local, comprehensive training that unites federal, state and local officials to build effective teams; (4) conveying PSN’s priorities, message and results to the community and media; and (5) building a strong and lasting coalition with the citizens of the Eastern District of Missouri so they can be agents of change in their very own communities.
Prosecution of gun crime and gang violence by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri plays a critical role in PSN. United States Attorney Catherine Hanaway has been combating this violent crime by prioritizing cases which arise from the PSN initiative. This often means prosecuting difficult cases. That is because federal, state and local PSN partners favor federal prosecution whenever possible for multiple reasons. First, federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms. Consistent enforcement of these federal laws becomes an effective tool for incapacitating offenders. It also deters other felons from possessing a firearm. Second, federal prosecution routinely results in pretrial detention for chronic offenders, speedier trial dates and stiffer sentences. More specifically, there is no probation or parole in the federal system. A common fear reported by young people arrested with a firearm is the possibility that their respective case might “go federal.” Why? If federal prosecution occurs, “hard time” is the result.
For additional information regarding Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit the national Project Safe Neighborhoods web site at www.psn.gov.
CONTACT INFORMATION
JENNIFER J. ROY
Project Safe Neighborhoods Anti-Gang Coordinator
THOMAS S. REA
Project Safe Neighborhoods Violent Crime Coordinator
Telephone: 314.539.2200
Facsimile: 314.539.2309