NCJ Number
199026
Journal
USA Bulletin Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 26-28
Date Published
January 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article explains the rationale for and tactics in community outreach under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which has been established to reduce gun violence in communities.
Abstract
Experience has shown that identifying shared values and changing community norms about crime is the key to changing community conditions that invite or enable violence, especially gun violence. By changing community norms and expectations, community leaders and criminal justice officials can make a significant long-term difference in community safety. By educating and engaging the community in the shorter term, community leaders can help accelerate the work of PSN in engaging the power of swift and certain enforcement to change criminals' behavior. PSN is mounting a number of efforts to facilitate community outreach that will assist in countering gun violence. One effort is the development of a kit that provides introductory information on PSN and basics on gun violence prevention. It provides a list of key community sectors that can and should be involved and describes roles they can play. A brief video instructs audiences in the key points of the initiative, allowing the U.S. Attorney to explain how his/her district plans to proceed. A key element of the kit will help its users identify ways to develop and strengthen coalitions. A PSN resource guide provides key documents for U.S. Attorneys' Offices to use in designing and implementing gun law enforcement strategies and work with local enforcement, intervention, and prevention efforts.