How Project Safe Neighborhoods Came About
Beginning in 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods task forces were created in all 50 states. PSN task forces were overseen by the U.S. Attorney's Office in their jurisdiction. The multiagency task forces developed programs to reduce firearms violence in their districts and enlisting community involvement.
PSN uses a strategic research-based model — built on successful approaches used in Boston Ceasefire, the 10-city Strategic Approaches to Community Safety Initiative (SACSI) and Richmond's Project Exile — to reduce gun violence through enforcement, deterrence and prevention.
At the core of PSN is increased federal prosecution of illegal gun possession and use. Other PSN intervention strategies include police patrols and chronic violent offender and re-entry programs. PSN-prevention strategies included neighborhood development, education and school-based programs.
