Puerto rico continues to be a prime target for transnational criminal organizations (TCOS) to import large quantities of controlled substances because of its geographical location and features, and…

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has awarded a $133,930 Project Safe Neighborhoods (CFDA 16.609) formula grant to the Housing Administration (a division of the Puerto Rico Commonwealth Of) to support violent crime reduction efforts in Puerto Rico. The key products and services to be delivered under this 3-year grant award include:

• Procurement of analytical software licenses (PenLink and i2) for the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and violent crime investigators to enhance criminal intelligence analyses that can strengthen prosecutions.
• Development and installation of an effective license plate reader system, including fixed position cameras at high-crime areas and mobile cameras for law enforcement vehicles.
• Training for police officers and analysts on utilizing the analytical software and license plate reader system.
• Collaboration with Project Safe Neighborhoods partners to develop prevention and intervention programs at public schools, sports/recreation facilities, and through community relations and educational initiatives in high-risk areas and municipalities.

The grant award is intended to assist local law enforcement and community-based partners in Puerto Rico to address drug trafficking, firearms crimes, and other violent criminal activity that has been exacerbated by the island's economic challenges and geographical vulnerabilities as the southernmost U.S. border.

Puerto rico continues to be a prime target for transnational criminal organizations (TCOS) to import large quantities of controlled substances because of its geographical location and features, and due to its special political relationship to the united states. As the southernmost border for the united states, TCOS focus their trafficking efforts in breaching our extensive coastline with their product because once the product reaches our shorelines, defeating federal customs checks becomes easier. These characteristics also make puerto rico a prime destination for large quantities of illegal guns sent from florida, texas, and other source states through the mail, many of which are used to protect the drug trafficking business on the island. The puerto rico governments bankruptcy has, in stark contrast, resulted in cuts to local services, including law enforcement efforts like forensic laboratories, police hiring and training, and local prosecutor hiring and training, that impair law enforcement interdiction efforts. The puerto rico U.S. Attorneys office (USAO) spearheads the violent crime reduction efforts on the island in close coordination with its local law enforcement partners. The usaos active participation in the project safe neighborhood initiative and other federal-local interagency law enforcement coordination is essential to achieving these efforts. Our PSN proposal consist in the procurement of penlink and I2 licenses for the puerto rico police bureau and violent crime investigators, and to the development and installation of an effective license plate reader system. These programs will assist local partners in completing criminal-intelligence analyses that can buttress effective prosecutions. The funds would include the training of police officers and analysts in the use of these programs. The license-plate readers system proposed will require the purchase of fixed position cameras at traffic lights and highway signage in thorough to, from and within high gang and drug activity areas and mobile cameras to be placed on law enforcement vehicles. In addition, in collaboration with our PSN partners we plan to develop prevention and intervention programs at public schools, sports and recreation programs and community relations and educational programs in the proposed areas or municipalities.