Shreveport Reporter

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown and the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force have announced the availability of approximately $152,565 in PSN grant funds for the Western District of Louisiana. The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and Bureau of Justice Assistance are seeking applications for funding under the PSN Program. At least 30% ($41,192.55) of the grant funds must be designated for new and/or current gang violence reduction strategies in the Western District.

The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring results. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not merely to increase arrests or prosecutions. PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations.

“The PSN program is key in our attack on gun violence in the Western District of Louisiana,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This grant will help assist officers and others take back our neighborhoods and streets. Times are hard in terms of funding for law enforcement and non-governmental organizations that seek to assist in making our communities safer. Therefore, we are grateful for these funds and encourage those organizations that focus on crime deterrence and prevention to apply.”

Past recipients of PSN grants include the Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport, and Lafayette Police Departments as well as the Caddo Parish and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Offices and Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. Funds were granted for various programs including new computer software implementation, body cameras for law enforcement officers, training on gang prevention, and overtime hours for increased patrols in areas with rising violent crime rates.

The Shreveport Police Department has been named as the fiscal agent for administering the funds allowed through this PSN grant. A committee comprised of community volunteers from five major cities in the Western District of Louisiana will review applications received from law enforcement and non-governmental agencies.

Applications must address one or more areas such as gang and gun violence reduction, deterrence, prevention, community outreach and education; enforcement, adjudication, supervision programs; prisoner re-entry programs; or other innovative related projects.

The FY 2023 PSN Grant Announcement can be found via an "Attachments" link below. To be eligible, grant proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m., Friday, July 26, 2024 to USALAW.PSN@usdoj.gov. Interested applicants may also contact Lisa Alwert at (337) 262-6618 for additional information.

An informational meeting will be held via WebEx on Monday, July 1, 2024 at 2 p.m. Interested parties should send their email contact information to USALAW.PSN@usdoj.gov by Friday, June 28, 2024 by 5 p.m., to obtain a link to the WebEx meeting.

More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.