Project Safe Neighborhoods

Governor Kulongoski and local community leaders join U.S. attorney Mosman to launch Project Safe Neighborhoods in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. — In a demonstration of support to reduce gun violence in Oregon, Governor Ted Kulongoski and local community leaders will join U.S. Attorney Mike Mosman, to officially launch Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national public safety program to reduce gun violence. The local kick-off will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday, January 21, at the U.S. Attorney’s office, 1000 SW Third Avenue, Portland.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is an innovative partnership among federal, state and local law enforcement and community leaders, who work together to reduce gun violence. Locally, the program specifically targets gang-related gun violence and crimes of domestic violence in which a gun is involved. Additionally, the program targets Armed Career Criminals: those who have three violent felony convictions, such as sex abuse, arson, assault, robbery or murder. In 2002, approximately 6,800 individuals were identified as Armed Career Criminals.

“President Bush and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft have made reducing gun violence a top national public safety priority, second only to fighting terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Mosman. “Here in Oregon, elected officials, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, victims’ advocates and social service providers have enthusiastically committed to working through Project Safe Neighborhoods to establish effective gun violence reduction programs.”

Combining elected officials, local law enforcement, community leaders, and victims and survivors of gun violence, the launch event will highlight how this cooperative approach will make Oregon’s communities safer.

Mosman said Project Safe Neighborhoods in Oregon will combine the following coordinated elements to reduce gun violence:

Additional federal prosecutors have been assigned to prosecute suspects accused of federal firearms violations. District Attorneys’ offices around the state are working closely with the United States Attorney’s Office to refer appropriate cases for federal prosecution. It is anticipated that such efforts will result in more severe consequences for illegal gun possession.
Additional investigative resources from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) will be provided to local law enforcement agencies to aid in their investigation and prosecution of suspects who have allegedly committed firearms violations.
Specialized training about federal firearms laws will be conducted for local law enforcement and prosecutors so they can recognize the potential for referring suspects for federal prosecution. Federal firearms charges bring higher mandatory sentences and, if convicted, place the offender in a federal prison.
Outreach will be conducted to inform community, business and neighborhood leaders about how they can support the efforts of Project Safe Neighborhoods to ultimately reduce gun violence.
Localized research and analysis will be conducted by Portland State University about gun crimes that have been perpetrated in Oregon. This data will help educate law enforcement officials, victims’ advocates and social service providers so they can better deploy their resources.

Strict enforcement of firearms laws and rigorous prosecution of offenders will be supported by outreach and prevention programs. Through this local community outreach, the prevention programs and a comprehensive public service campaign, Project Safe Neighborhoods will spread the message that gun violence is not tolerated in Oregon. For additional information about the program, visit www.projectsafeneighborhoods.gov.

EDITOR’S NOTE:
LOCAL PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS TASK FORCE MEMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS AT THE LAUNCH EVENT.

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