JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF FIRST ANNUAL
PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

PHILADELPHIA- The Department of Justice today announced the names of the 14 recipients of the First Annual Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Achievement Awards in a ceremony at the PSN national conference, with more than 1,300 individuals in attendance. The recipients were chosen from a large pool of nominations submitted by United States Attorney’s offices across the nation.

Attorney General John Ashcroft said, “These individuals and groups are on the front lines in our work to prevent and prosecute gun crimes across our nation. Their dedication to Project Safe Neighborhoods is helping to make America more safe.”

The recipients of the First Annual Project Safe Neighborhoods Achievement Awards include the following:

Colorado’s Project Exile was recognized for its Mass Media Campaign, which raised over $2 million from individual and corporate donors, and resulted in widespread coverage by Colorado’s print and television media.

From the District of Massachusetts, the City of Boston’s Ceasefire model received the Outstanding Comprehensive Strategic Plan Award.

The Western District of Tennessee’s PSN Partnership was recognized for offering insightful locally-based training programs which reached out to a large number of law enforcement agencies and officers.

Special Agent Mark Kraft of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives was recognized for his work in support of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Enforcement Training (PSNET) team, which provides high caliber training across the country.

The Southern District of Alabama received the award for the Most Improved team. Numerous meetings between the United States Attorney, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco, as well as the Mobile (Ala.) Chief of Police actively enhanced the cooperation element of their PSN program and helped to combat the historical impediments that had previously isolated the agencies.

Lieutenant Jeffrey Michael Clark of the Memphis (Tenn.) Police Department received an award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to a PSN program. Lt. Clark demonstrated great dedication and assertiveness in his approach to PSN and played a key role in the Western District of Tennessee’s impressive federal prosecution numbers.

The Western District of Missouri’s PSN/Project Ceasefire team received the award for Outstanding Partnership or Task Force. The combined efforts between the organizations have contributed to the conviction of 306 gun criminals in Kansas City alone.

The Berks County (Pa.) District Attorney’s Office was acknowledged as the Outstanding Local Prosecutor’s Office. District Attorney Mark Baldwin and his office have made great strides by introducing the Crime Alert community action program throughout the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

From the District of Connecticut, the City of Hartford’s Project Sentry Task Force received the Award for Exceptional Juvenile Gun Crime Reduction Program.

The Newport News (Va.) Police Department accepted the award for Outstanding Local Police Department involvement.

The PSN initiative in Rock County, Wis., was recognized in conjunction with the Beloit (Wis.) Police Department for the Outstanding Crime Gun Investigation Award.

Doris Settles, Clearinghouse Coordinator for the Kentucky Center for School Safety, received the award for Outstanding Community Involvement. Ms. Settles worked extensively with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky to establish a state-wide pledge against gun violence in Kentucky schools and compiled a program as part of National Safe Schools Week.

The Indiana Violence Reduction Partnership (IVRP) was recognized for their Innovative Use of Technology through the IVRP website and regional database.

The District of Utah accepted a commemorative award on behalf of Scott Spujt, a ballistics inspector who lost his life while examining a gun in conjunction with Project Safe Neighborhoods.

To find out about more about PSN and its local programs, visit the PSN website at www.psn.gov. <http://www.psn.gov>

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