OFFICE
OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
AUTHORIZATION:
Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended, Title I; 42 U.S.C. 50 et seq.; Crime
Control Act of 1990, Public Law 101-647; Appropriations Act of 2001, Public
Law 106-553; Appropriations Act of 2002, Public Law 107-77.
The program initially
started as a community prosecution effort to support state and local efforts
to address crime by emphasizing the participation of community leaders and
residents in developing strategies for public safety with prosecutors and
other community justice system officials. The program served as a mechanism
for community participation that allows communities to identify local
priorities and engage in problem solving and strategic planning, as well as
regular communication between the prosecutor's office and community residents.
The FY 2001 - 2002 Community Gun Violence Prosecution program was designed to
provide funding to chief prosecutors across the country and to assist them in
hiring assistant prosecutors who will be dedicated to the prosecution of
firearm-related violent crime. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide
commitment and a comprehensive, strategic approach to reducing gun violence in
America by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and
providing those programs with additional tools.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The Community Prosecution program focuses on problem solving, strategic
planning, and working in partnership with the community to prevent crime and
violence and improve public safety. The Community Gun Violence Prosecution
program allocates resources directly to chief prosecutors across the country
to improve the long-term ability of prosecution agencies to more fully address
the issue of firearm-related violent crime within their jurisdictions. Project
Safe Neighborhoods is a new national strategy designed to remove gun wielding
criminals from the streets and local neighborhoods. In addition to hiring new
prosecutors, the funds will be available to support investigations, provide
training, and develop community outreach efforts that will promote and improve
public safety.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
State, county, city, and tribal public
prosecutor offices, including State attorney general offices that have
responsibility for prosecuting matters involving firearm-related violent crime.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
State and local governments, public and
private organizations, Indian Tribal government, prosecutor offices.
Credentials/Documentation:
Eligible applicants must provide a budget
submission.
The Community Prosecution program is
eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as
the single point of contact in their respective states for more information on
the process the state requires to be followed in applying for assistance. The
standard application forms (SF-424) as furnished by the Federal agency in
accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program.
Application Procedure:
The application procedure and time lines will
be contained in the program solicitation. Concept papers are initially received
by peer panels, then reviewed within the agency for final selections. The FY
2001 Community Gun Violence Prosecution Program application are submitted via
the Internet-based Office of Justice Programs (OJP) at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA.
Award Procedure:
BJA reviews applications for completeness, accuracy,
and compliance with all program requirements. Upon approval by the Assistant
Attorney General, OJP, award letters and award documents are sent to grantee.
One copy of grant award must be signed by duly authorized representative and
returned to BJA.
Deadlines:
Contact BJA for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
Normally 120 days after receipt of
applications.
Appeals:
Not applicable.
Renewals:
Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
Grants may be made for amounts up
to 100 per cent of the costs of the programs or projects contained in the
approved applications.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Varies, depending on program
goals and objectives; generally, 12 to 18 months.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Unless otherwise specified in the awards special conditions,
financial reports are due quarterly and progress reports are due semi-annually.
In some cases, evaluation reports may be required.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133
(Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and
Non-Profit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance
of $300,000 or more in federal awards will have a single or a program-specific
audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than
$300,000 a year in federal awards are exempt from federal audit requirements for
that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records:
Recipients of federal funds are expected to retain
documentation supporting all program transactions for at least three years after
the closure of audit reports related to such funding. If any litigation, claim,
negotiation, audit, or other action involving records has been started before
the expiration of the three year period, the records must be retained until
completion of the action and resolution of all related issues, or until the end
of the regular three year period, whichever is later.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
15-0401-0-1-754.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $29,534,680; FY 02 est $178,212,562; and
FY 03 est $99,780,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
Prior awards have ranged
from approximately $50,000 to $200,000. The Community Gun Violence Prosecution
program maximum is $240,000 for jurisdictions with population 149,999 and under;
$480,000 for jurisdictions 150,000 and above.
As of fiscal year 2001, 34 awards were made and over 60 additional
jurisdictions were selected for award based on the fiscal year 2000
solicitation. In addition, training and technical assistance is being provided
to the participating sites. In fiscal year 2001, BJA expects to make both
supplemental and new site awards.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide and Handbook 4500.2c, Policies and
Procedure for the Administration of OJP Grants, are applicable.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office:
None.
Headquarters Office:
Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice
Assistance, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC
20531. Contact: Program Development Division. Telephone: (202) 514-5943.
Web Site Address:
www.usdoj.gov/bja.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
None.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
For competitive grants, criteria for selecting proposals is contained within
the individual program solicitations. For non-competitive grants, applications
received by BJA are reviewed for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all
program requirements.
