Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local, and law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources. PSN follows four key design elements of successful violent crime reduction initiatives: (1) community engagement, (2) prevention and intervention, (3) focused and strategic enforcement and (4) accountability. Winnebago County is the Fiscal Agency for the Northern District of Illinois and its partners.

Focused Deterrence Reentry often referred to as “pulling levers,” is a crime reduction strategy in which carefully selected high-risk offenders (prolific or particularly violent criminal offenders) receive concentrated law enforcement attention and, simultaneously, offers of concentrated social services through direct, persuasive communication and rigorous follow-up of these commitments. The Office of Criminal Justice Initiatives oversees this program, working with a contracted Navigator, local leaders, supervision agencies and service providers to ensure opportunity for individual success.

Community Based Violence Intervention targets high-risk individuals returning from incarceration. Winnebago County has partnered with Goodwill Northern Illinois to enlist four (4) Community Navigators to work evening and weekends with individuals at high risk of reoffending. A Call Center Coordinator coordinates service provision.