PSN Training and Technical Assistance Bulletin July 2020, Issue 4

The monthly Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Bulletin highlights TTA and resources provided to PSN taskforces and local law enforcement agencies. TTA requests can be made online here . If you have questions regarding TTA, please contact your regional TTA liaison or the TTA team at psnttateam@psntta.org .  The Department of Justice (DOJ) PSN is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN TTA assists taskforces with planning, implementing, and assessing their violence reduction PSN strategies.  ‌ PSN TTA is currently offering virtual law enforcement assessments   and other technical assistance. Request PSN TTA

Victim Services Prosecutor Focus Group This spring, the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) and CNA conducted three focus groups to learn more about practitioner perspectives on victim issues, services, and TTA needs. The first two focus groups focused on the law enforcement perspective, with separate focus groups for line officers and detectives. The third focus group gathered information from prosecutors. The participants were a diverse group representing large, suburban and rural jurisdictions. Prosecutors in PSN districts said they would benefit from training on best practices for effectively talking and communicating with violent crime victims, particularly for newer prosecutors with little experience, but also refresher courses for those more experienced. Click here to read the full summary of focus group results. New Case Study Disrupting the Cycle of Violence: Prosecuting Domestic Violence Offenders in Possession of a Firearm NCVC and CNA recently completed a case study focused on the Oklahoma-West PSN team's "Operation 922" initiative, which aims to prevent individuals with domestic violence convictions from purchasing or possessing firearms through federal prosecution and collaboration between federal, state, and local partners. Click here to read the full case study. Resources: Targeted Offenders Lists The PSN TTA team recently released a package of resources related to targeting offenders and creating targeted offender lists. These resources include: A interactive panel discussion with researchers and an experienced law enforcement professionals on strategies for identifying prolific violent offenders and maintaining targeted offender lists. Click here to view webinar and download the webinar presentation.    A Q&A document focused on questions that participants raised during the webinar. View the Q&A here. FORTHCOMING : The PSN TTA team is developing a series of podcasts on related topics including: criteria for inclusion on targeted offender lists; research and research partners; managing targeted offender lists; data and crime analysis; legal issues; and organizational change. Look for a link to the podcasts in the August email blast.  Save the Date: Upcoming PSN Webinar Trauma-Informed Law Enforcement Strategies for Combating Victim, Witness, and Community Intimidation and Retaliation   August 17, 2020, 1-3 PM ET Register here.   Join NCVC for a webinar and discussion on how law enforcement agencies are currently using trauma-informed approaches to intervene, mitigate, and combat the effects of intimidation and retaliation in their local, state, and federal jurisdictions. Speakers will include: Chafica Khodr Agha, Esq., Staff Attorney and Program Associate, NCVC (Moderator) Detective Andrew Washington, Police Detective, Tampa Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division Darlene Averick, Supervisory Victim Witness Program Manager, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Courtney Kurtis, Esq., Assistant Executive Director, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council  Recent Webinar Domestic Violence Issues and Concerns During COVID-19 The risk of domestic violence has increased significantly as a direct result of COVID-19. Consequences include isolation, limited court access, changes in law enforcement procedures, less access to services and resources such as protection orders and shelter, and other serious concerns affecting the safety and well-being of communities across the country.  In a recent webinar, Dr. Ashleigh Washington (Senior Director of Learning and Staff Development at Safe Horizon, New York) outlined the impact of this issue on service providers and law enforcement agencies nationwide, detailing approaches for partnerships between federal and state agencies and local service providers. She described the strategies that Safe Horizon and other service providers have implemented to address increases in domestic violence, including recommendations for law enforcement responses through strategies aimed at innovative methods for court access, shelter, safety plans, and increased use of technology. Click here to view the webinar recording.    PSN TTA Catalog     The PSN TTA Catalog describes the TTA available to PSN districts and how to request, plan for, and receive assistance. TTA is currently available via virtual formats due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each PSN Taskforce is supported by a regional TTA team, consisting of a TTA liaison, analyst, victim services liaison, and DOJ support team member. Click on the map below to learn more about the seven PSN TTA teams.

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This project was supported by Grant No. 2018-DP-BX-K013 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.