AG (202) 514-2007WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TDD (202) 514-1888ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT ANNOUNCES NEW FEDERAL
PROSECUTOR FOR ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO Albuquerque, NM-- Attorney General John Ashcroft today announced that as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the United States Attorney's Office in Albuquerque will receive a new federal prosecutor designated solely to prosecute gun crimes.
"In creating this position, we demonstrate our firm commitment to enforcing the law," Ashcroft said. "We must make it perfectly clear that the criminals who terrorize our communities with guns will not go unpunished. With the new resources, Albuquerque will be better equipped to get criminals off the streets and keep our children safe."
Through the president's Project Safe Neighborhoods, the United States Attorney in Albuquerque will also establish strategic partnerships among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in an intensive offensive against gun crime.
Approximately $558.8 million nationwide will be committed to this initiative over 2 years with $233.6 million available this year. The funds will be used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training and develop and promote community outreach efforts.
The United States Attorney in Albuquerque will also develop and certify to Attorney General Ashcroft the implementation of a comprehensive gun violence reduction program. The program will consist of community partnerships, strategic planning, training and outreach.
Across the nation, 113 new federal prosecutors will be dedicated to prosecute illegal gun use under Project Safe Neighborhoods, and $75 million in grants will be used to hire and train approximately 600 non-federal gun prosecutors. In addition, $144.3 million in funding is being dedicated for other programs that will support the activities under Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The FY 2002 budget request for the Department of Justice also includes $189 million to continue enforcement of gun laws and ensure that child safety locks are available for every handgun in America. Additional funds will be used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training and develop and promote community outreach efforts.
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