WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood program to keep Arizona and Tribal communities safe. The Project Safe Neighborhood program brings together federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, community leaders, and partners to identify and address the most pressing crime problems in their communities.
“Arizona communities should be safe – free of violence and crime. Our bipartisan legislation supporting the Project Safe Neighborhoods program will reduce violence, protect communities, and help ensure Arizona families are safe and secure,” said Sinema.
“The Project Safe Neighborhoods program has been proven to reduce violent crime in cities that participate by focusing law enforcement efforts on organized crime networks and repeat offenders,” said Cornyn. “By fostering partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement to address these criminal threats, we can take a more proactive approach to protecting our communities from violent criminals.”
Sinema’s bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which plays a critical role in protecting Arizona communities and tribes from crime and gang violence. The Senator’s bipartisan bill empowers local leaders to collaborate with federal partners to address crime and foster safer neighborhoods, while sustaining the long-term reduction in violent crime in their communities. Sinema introduced the bill with a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues, including Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
In December 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice awarded an additional $370,000 to the District of Arizona for Project Safe Neighborhoods programs used in the state. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has partnered with various local, state, tribal, federal, and non-governmental agencies to identify high gun-crime areas and target its resources to combat violent offenders.
Sinema’s legislation is part of her work in keeping Arizona communities safe and secure. Earlier this year, Sinema’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act addressing violence and mental health was signed into law. The Senator’s bipartisan law invests in support for state crisis intervention orders, children and family mental health services, protections for victims of domestic violence, funding for school-based mental health services – all the while not raising taxes on everyday Arizonans and respecting Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
