Ten cities join Public Safety Partnership initiative

Attorney General William P. Barr recently noted 10 cities have joined the new National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), which officials said is designed to reduce violent crime.

“The Public Safety Partnership is a successful program that directs federal law enforcement resources to the cities where they can have the greatest impact,” Barr said. “These resources help police departments to diagnose where crime is highest, and why, and to find, arrest and prosecute criminals. Several participating cities have already seen dramatic reductions in violent crime over the past two years. As we expand this program to 10 more cities across America, we are determined to replicate that success.”

The new participants include Anniston and Oxford, Ala.; Anchorage, Alaska; Davenport, Iowa; Wichita, Kan.; Baton Rouge, La.; Baltimore, Md.; Cleveland, Ohio; Amarillo and Harris County, Texas.

“I know through experience as a former U.S. Attorney that the surest way to drive down crime is through a united effort that involves local government leaders and law enforcement agencies at all levels,” said Matt M. Dummermuth, principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, who oversees DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs. “The National Public Safety Partnership has been the force behind successful violence reduction efforts in a number of communities and we intend to carry that success into other high crime neighborhoods.”

A site must have sustained levels of violence far exceeding the national average and demonstrating a commitment to reducing crime to be considered for selection. Cities must also display compliance with federal immigration requirements.