Department of Justice Awards City of Atlanta with Grant to Fight Violent Crime

ATLANTA - The Department of Justice announced it has awarded nearly $700,000 to the City of Atlanta in support of the Atlanta Police Department's (APD) initiative to establish an Atlanta Crime Gun Intelligence Center to address violent crime.

"Reducing violent crime is a top priority for the Department of Justice, our office, and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "Gun violence in particular remains a pervasive threat to our communities. This grant to the City of Atlanta will strengthen our ongoing collaborative efforts with the Atlanta Police Department and reflects the long-standing and successful partnerships our offices have forged to reduce and prevent violent crime."

"The creation of the Atlanta Crime Gun Intelligence Center will significantly enhance our ability to combat gun violence in the metro-Atlanta area," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Jones, ATF. "This collaboration will bring advanced forensic tools and innovative strategies to the forefront of our efforts, allowing us to swiftly identify and apprehend violent offenders."

"We are profoundly grateful for the grant that will establish the Atlanta Crime Gun Intelligence Center. This initiative will equip the Atlanta Police Department with advanced technology and critical resources to combat gun violence, disrupt drug trafficking, and dismantle gang activity," said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum more effectively. "Through innovation and strategic partnerships, we are committed to enhancing the safety and security of our communities."

This grant awards $699,539 in funding to support APD's initiative to establish an Atlanta Crime Gun Intelligence Center (ACGIC) to better respond to gun violence in the metro-Atlanta area. Specifically, this initiative enables the creation of a standalone ACGIC forensic ballistic lab for prioritized and swift processing of ballistic evidence in gang and repeat offender involved cases and expands the use of National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) technology by other law enforcement jurisdictions in conjunction with APD's program. APD will also partner with Georgia State University to develop, implement, and monitor agreed upon performance measures and conduct process and outcome evaluations of ACGIC efforts.

This award is the first in the state of Georgia and is made through the Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration (CGIC) Initiative, which is administered by Bureau of Justice Assistance in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The grant provides funding to state and local government organizations to equip them with the resources needed to reduce violent crime and the illegal use of firearms within their jurisdictions by enabling them to integrate with their local ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs).

This award is also made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about these and other OJP awards can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices - the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office - can be found at www.ojp.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.