A group of Republican Senators introduced legislation that would reauthorize a national program allowing law enforcement to use evidence-based, data-driven approaches to reducing violent crime.
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) co-sponsored the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Reauthorization Act that would reauthorize the program through 2030 with $50 million, consistent with current appropriations levels, law makers said.
“Since its inception, the Project Safe Neighborhoods program has a proven track record of reducing violent crime and protecting communities,” Fischer said. “I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation, which continues to provide Nebraska’s law enforcement with the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
Started in 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods has been found to reduce violent crime in cities as much as 13.1 percent, according to a study by Michigan State University. The program has seen double-digit reductions in total firearm crimes and homicide in every city the study looked at.
The most recent reauthorization would require participating entities to create strategic plans to reduce violent crime. Additionally, the legislation would require the program to prioritize investigation and prosecution of individuals with a leadership role in a criminal organization, while strengthening evidence-based and data-driven intervention and prevention initiatives. The legislation reserves 30 percent of its allocated funding from established regional law enforcement task forces and allows some funds to be used for the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program.
“For more than two decades, the Project Safe Neighborhoods program has successfully implemented data-backed solutions to lower the rate of violent crime and help keep dangerous criminals off our streets,” Cornyn said. “This legislation would build on this impressive track record and foster greater collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make America safe again.”