Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization - H.R.3249
The House concured with the Senate amendment to the bill that would establish a Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program within the Justice Department to create partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to fight criminal street gangs. It would authorize $50 million a year from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2021 for the program to assist law enforcement agencies in combating gang crimes, and to develop intervention and prevention initiatives. The bill would not contain a provision barring the authorization of funds for certain other Justice Department programs related to gun crime and gang violence.
This bill officially establishes the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program within the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs to foster and improve existing partnerships to create safer neighborhoods through sustained reductions in violent crimes. The Program, first created in 2001, had previously been funded through other grants. The legislation authorizes $50 million a year for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2020.
Summary
H.R. 3249 officially establishes the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program within the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs to foster and improve existing partnerships to create safer neighborhoods through sustained reductions in violent crimes. The Program, first created in 2001, had previously been funded through other grants. The legislation authorizes $50 million a year for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2020.
The Senate Amendment adds additional areas of purpose for the Grant Program, including the collection of data on outcomes achieved through the Program, competitive and evidence-based programs to reduce gun crime and gang violence, the Edward Byrne criminal justice innovation program, and community-based violence prevention initiatives. Further, the Senate Amendment removes language about the consolidating of certain programs at the Department of Justice.
Background
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun and gang crime in America by networking existing local programs that target gun and gun crime and providing these programs with additional tools necessary to be successful. Since its inception in 2001, approximately $2 billion has been committed to this initiative. This funding is being used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training, distribute gun lock safety kits, deter juvenile gun crime, and develop and promote community outreach efforts as well as to support other gun and gang violence reduction strategies.
Cost
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing H.R. 3249 would cost $130 million over the 2018-2022 period, with the remaining amounts spent in subsequent years.
