Launched in 2001, the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories. PSN is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. Across all districts, PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.  

A major goal of PSN is to incorporate research and data analysis, and lessons learned from other violent crime reduction initiatives, to inform its decision-making on the most effective violence reduction strategies. 

On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN so that it is built on newly articulated core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results of our efforts. And the Department expressly underscores that the fundamental goal of this work is to reduce violent crime in the places we call home, not to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions as if they were ends in themselves.

Nevada law enforcement agencies participating in PSN include ATF, FBI, HSI, the Henderson Police Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

PSN Core Principles

• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Reducing violent crime is a shared responsibility between communities and law enforcement. USAOs engage with a range of community stakeholders to gain perspective, increase mutual understanding, and collaborate to improve public safety.

• PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

Prevention and intervention programs are essential elements of reducing violent crime. Community-based organizations and local government agencies are well suited to coordinate these strategies to reduce individual and community risk factors and increase protective factors. USAOs can help connect these important stakeholders to subject-matter experts, grant funding, and training and technical assistance.

• FOCUSED AND STRATEGIC ENFORCEMENT

Short-and long-term enforcement strategies for disrupting violent crime must be tailored to address the specific challenges and most significant drivers of violence within communities. USAOs meet regularly with law enforcement partners to develop enforcement strategies that are supported by local data and intelligence.

• ACCOUNTABILITY

USAOs develop and implement a district-specific PSN strategy that adheres to the principles of PSN. The strategy is assessed regularly and adjusted as needed.

For additional information or questions about PSN, visit the PSN website.

Featured Public Service Announcement

• Project Safe Neighborhoods: Working Together to Keep Communities Safe. This video provides a short (7 minute) summary of the PSN strategy, highlighting how it is community-based, targeted, and comprehensive.

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