Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: District Attorney
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): all
Acceptance of Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant of $16,429 with no match required
Body
Information Contact: Sherry Boston or Roz Harris
Phone Number: 770-294-0369
PURPOSE:
To consider accepting $16,429 (award # AW-NPSN-26-064-007) from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) for the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN): Gun Violence Reduction Equipment Grant Program for the grant period of May 1, 2026-September 15, 2026: and
To authorize the CEO to execute all necessary documents.
NEED/IMPACT:
PSN funding is designated by the Department of Justice to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in crime associated with gang and gun violence. Launched in 2001, PSN is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials; prosecutors; community leaders; and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing crime problems in a community and work collaboratively to address those problems. Applications were accepted for law enforcement and public safety equipment, and to expand the implementation of community policing and crime prevention through the procurement of equipment and technologies.
The D.A.’s Digital Forensics Unit (DFU) demonstrated exceptional productivity in 2025, providing critical support across multiple law enforcement agencies. The unit processed 343 case requests while its Assistant District Attorney obtained 1,212 warrants for digital evidence across 505 unique cases, maintaining strong relationships with both internal prosecution units and external law enforcement agencies throughout DeKalb County and beyond.
However, the proven success has resulted in insurmountable tasks. Henceforth, the D.A’s Office received the current funding to augment DFU’s current infrastructure via the purchase of a digital evidence sharing platform, and a comprehensive training pass for the D.A’s DFU Investigators.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No match funds, and no additional County funding is being requested.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Accept $16,429 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) for the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN): Gun Violence Reduction Equipment Grant Program for the grant period of May 1, 2026-September 15, 2026: and authorize the CEO to execute all necessary documents.