BREDESEN ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS “OPERATION SAFE COMMUNITY”

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the University of Memphis will receive a grant totaling over $500,000 to support “Operation Safe Community: Integrated Gang and Violent Crime Reduction Project.” The federal grant, provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, will support the University’s role in Memphis Project Safe Neighborhoods, bringing together local and federal agencies in an effort to reduce crime.

“This grant will help the University support a cooperative effort in Memphis, not only to eliminate so-called ‘gang’ crimes, but to provide positive youth development as well,” Bredesen said. “The University is an important part of the community and I’m pleased to see these funds provided to support local officials in this effort.”

Through the $536,609 grant, the University of Memphis will conduct a comprehensive assessment of gangs in Memphis and Shelby County; implement a pilot project in Shelby County for positive youth development; and provide evaluation support for the Operation Safe Community.

Byrne grants are awarded to states and local governments through the U.S. Department of Justice to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. The program provides agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they need them most.

Bredesen also announced today three additional Byrne grants. The City of Oak Ridge received a grant in the amount of $983,783 for police communications projects, and the City of Murfreesboro received a federal grant of $21,071 to upgrade current software systems used by the County of Rutherford and the City of Murfreesboro. The City of Kingsport was also awarded $13,478 to equip more patrol units technology improvements.

Thanks to Byrne funding in 2007, Tennessee was able to provide correctional programming to approximately 800 offenders in a variety of projects, with resulting recidivism rates well below the national average in all projects. Additionally, victim and witness coordinators in 13 judicial districts provided victim assistance in filing warrants, learning how the criminal justice system works, and obtaining restitution.