Project Safe Neighborhoods

Project Safe Neighborhoods. Proving effective in fighting gun crime locally, nationally.

Attorney General John Ashcroft Announces Record Increase in Federal Firearms Prosecutions

PORTLAND, Ore. - United States Attorney for the District of Oregon Karin J. Immergut today joined Attorney General John Ashcroft in applauding the record of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who are working together through Project Safe Neighborhoods to prevent and prosecute gun crime.

“Newly released data shows record-levels of federal prosecutions of gun crime,” said Ashcroft. “Gun criminals are paying unprecedented penalties, and law-abiding Americans are enjoying unprecedented safety. Under President Bush’s leadership, Project Safe Neighborhoods is making a tremendous difference in ensuring that gun crime equals hard time.”

Oregon federal gun prosecutions have increased at a level on par with increases around the nation. “Indeed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has effectively doubled the number of firearms prosecutions in this District since the inception of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative,” said Immergut. “Here in Oregon, in the past month alone there have been 13 defendants convicted and sentenced in federal court for gun crimes with an average sentence of more than 84 months in prison.” Immergut added that these prosecutions accompany a vast array of collaborative efforts stimulated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative now taking place in Oregon, which involves law enforcement, local prosecutors, local government, community groups and victims’ advocates - all focused on reducing gun violence.

A Record of Increased Prosecutions Nationwide

In the past three years, national federal gun crime prosecutions have increased by 68 percent. Between FY 2002 and FY 2003, federal firearms prosecutions increased nearly 24 percent, and since FY 2000, there has been a 62 percent increase in defendants charged with firearm-related crimes.

Project Safe Neighborhoods first set a record in FY 2002 for increasing the number of defendants charged with gun-related crimes by 20 percent. During this year, Project Safe Neighborhoods set a new Justice Department record with nearly 23 percent more defendants charged with gun crimes.

Federal offenders are being sentenced to significant jail time. In FY 2003, 93 percent of defendants were sentenced to some prison time, and about 72 percent of offenders were sentenced to prison terms greater than three years.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a national gun violence reduction initiative that encourages federal, state and local law enforcement and community leaders to work together to reduce gun violence. In Oregon, the program specifically targets gang-related gun violence, crimes of domestic violence in which a firearm is involved, and armed career criminals.

All media inquiries about Project Safe Neighborhoods in Oregon should be directed to:

Fred Weinhouse
Assistant U.S. Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon
503-727-1000
E-mail: Fred Weinhouse