Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018

To authorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 2. Definitions For the purposes of this Act— (1) the term firearms offenses (2) the term Program (3) the term transnational organized crime group 22 U.S.C. 2708(k)(6) 3. Establishment The Attorney General of the United States is authorized to establish and carry out a program, to be known as the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program 4. Purpose (a) Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program The purpose of the Program is to foster and improve existing partnerships between Federal, State, and local agencies, including the United States Attorney in each Federal judicial district, entities representing members of the community affected by increased violence, victims' advocates, and researchers to create safer neighborhoods through sustained reductions in violent crimes by— (1) developing and executing comprehensive strategic plans to reduce violent crimes, including the enforcement of gun laws, and prioritizing efforts focused on identified subsets of individuals or organizations responsible for increasing violence in a particular geographic area; (2) developing evidence-based and data-driven intervention and prevention initiatives, including juvenile justice projects and activities which may include street-level outreach, conflict mediation, provision of treatment and social services, and the changing of community norms, in order to reduce violence; and (3) collecting data on outcomes achieved through the Program, including the effect on the violent crime rate, incarceration rate, and recidivism rate of the jurisdiction. (b) Additional purpose areas In addition to the purpose described in subsection (a), the Attorney General may use funds authorized under this Act for any of the following purposes— (1) competitive and evidence-based programs to reduce gun crime and gang violence; (2) the Edward Byrne criminal justice innovation program; (3) community-based violence prevention initiatives; or (4) gang and youth violence education, prevention and intervention, and related activities. 5. Rules and regulations (a) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall promulgate rules to create, carry out, and administer the Program in accordance with this section. (b) Funds To be directed to local control Amounts made available as grants under the Program shall be, to the greatest extent practicable, locally controlled to address problems that are identified locally. (c) Regional Gang Task Forces Thirty percent of the amounts made available as grants under the Program each fiscal year shall be granted to established Regional Gang Task Forces in regions experiencing a significant or increased presence of, or high levels of activity from, transnational organized crime groups posing threats to community safety in terms of violent crime, firearms offenses, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other crimes. (d) Priority Amounts made available as grants under the Program shall be used to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of individuals who have an aggravating or leadership role in a criminal organization. 6. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General to carry out the Program $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2021.

Summary: Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program within the Department of Justice. The purpose of the grant program is to foster and improve partnerships to create safer neighborhoods through sustained reductions in crimes by (1) developing and executing comprehensive strategic plans, (2) developing evidence-based intervention and prevention initiatives, and (3) collecting data on outcomes.