Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Tuesday that the Justice Department will begin supplying advisers and consultants to help local law enforcement reduce crime in a dozen U.S. cities.
Justice Department forms partnership with 12 cities
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Tuesday that the Justice Department will form partnerships with a dozen cities across the country to help them fight gun crime, drug trafficking and gang violence.
The program represents the Trump administration’s latest efforts to reduce violent crime in targeted locations throughout the U.S. Under the program, local law enforcement officials will work with federal justice operatives to develop strategies to combat violent crime. Sessions announced the program at a summit meeting of state, local and federal officials.
“We will make America and every American neighborhood safe again. This program will help communities suffering from serious violent crime problems to build up their capacity to fight back.” – U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions
The Trump administration’s proposed budget includes $26 million earmarked to hire 300 additional federal prosecutors, 230 of which will be dedicated to prosecuting violent crime, with the remaining 70 focused on immigration law violations.
“We will make America and every American neighborhood safe again,” Sessions said. “This program will help communities suffering from serious violent crime problems to build up their capacity to fight back.” Sessions also praised local law enforcement officers for their efforts in fighting crime.
Sessions announced a new policy last month regarding charging and sentencing guidelines. Under the new policy, federal prosecutors will be directed to pursue the most serious possible charges for violations of federal law. This policy is a stark departure from that issued under the Obama administration, which encouraged prosecutors to prioritize other crimes as more serious than drug related crime.
No “sanctuary cities” among the initial group
Initially, 12 cities will partner with the Justice Department on the project. None of the selected cities are “sanctuary cities”; cities that have vowed to not cooperate with federal authorities to enforce immigration laws.
The 12 cities targeted for assistance are:
Birmingham, Alabama
Indianapolis, Indiana
Toledo, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Houston, Texas
Buffalo, New York
Memphis, Tennessee
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Jackson, Tennessee
Kansas City, Missouri
Lansing, Michigan
Springfield, Illinois
Sessions said he expects to announce partnerships with additional cities later in the year.
