Winter 2002

Newman Flanagan

Launching Project Safe Neighborhoods

As local prosecutors across America continue to provide leadership in making their communities safer, their responsibilities and needs continue to expand. Local prosecutors are now engaged in responding to developing needs that include terrorism, cybercrime and a host of other threats. President Bush and U.S. Attorney General Ashcroft have wisely identified combating gun violence—one of the deadliest and most devastating crimes—as a national priority.

Accordingly, the Bush Administration has spearheaded a new initiative—Project Safe Neighborhoods—that is designed to combat gun violence across America. Federal resources are being made available to local prosecutors, and the active participation of local prosecutors is being sought. Here is a letter that I wrote to the attorney general recognizing the importance and promise of effective local-state-federal partnerships designed to combat gun violence. APRI looks forward to partnering with the National District Attorneys Association, the National College of District Attorneys and prosecutors and law enforcement officials across America in contributing to the success of this effort.

Newman Flanagan
President, American Prosecutors Research Institute