Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Summer Violence Reduction Initiative, Massachusetts 2024

Summer Violence Reduction Initiative Launched in Massachusetts

BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced today that it has launched a Summer Violence Reduction Initiative to assist and support local communities in reducing gun violence that often accompanies the warmer summer months.

As part of its Summer Violence Reduction Initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is convening a series of regional roundtable meetings with law enforcement in local communities across the state to discuss emerging trends in violence, impacts across the region, resource allocation and potential for collaboration. The goal is to foster cooperation, transparency and data-driven solutions.

As part of this initiative, Acting U.S. Attorney Levy is also establishing a Ghost Gun Task Force (GGTF) to address the emerging threat of trafficking in privately made firearms (PMFs), commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” PMFs are firearms assembled or otherwise produced by a person other than a licensed manufacturer, often without a serial number. According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), PMF seizures have increased exponentially in Massachusetts over the last few years. Specifically, PMFs accounted for nearly 10% of total firearm recoveries in 2022, a tenfold increase compared to 2020. In response to this emerging threat, Levy is establishing the GGTF to convene ATF, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and the Attorney General’s Office to act as force multipliers and stem the flow of PMFs and other weapons into Massachusetts.

Additionally, in May 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office convened its eight Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) cities, Boston, Brockton, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Springfield, and Worcester. The meeting focused on crime trends, hot spots, targeted enforcement efforts, and ideas for sharing resources to reduce violent crime. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, and incorporates research, data analysis, and lessons learned from other violent crime reduction initiatives to inform its decision-making on the most effective violence reduction strategies. PSN is customized to account for local violent crime problems and resources, and follows four key design elements: community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability.

Through PSN grants, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is funding youth violence prevention and intervention organizations in Boston, Holyoke, Lawrence, and Lowell. PSN funding also supplemented existing resources in several PSN cities to support gunshot detection technology and equipment.

In October 2023, as part of its PSN program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be convening a statewide Gang Investigators’ Summit. One component of the Summit will be statewide training for local and state law enforcement on identifying armed criminals and de-escalation techniques. This training will include tactics to respond to the growing threat posed by ghost guns.

“One of the core missions of the Department of Justice and law enforcement generally is to keep communities safe. As we have learned over the years, the most powerful tool to accomplish that is our strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “With this week marking the beginning of summer, law enforcement is reminded that warmer weather typically correlates with a spike in violent crime, particularly in urban areas. While our PSN initiative packs a powerful punch in combatting violence by ensuring that impacted communities have the necessary tools and resources to reverse the trend and strengthen community safety, it is our hope that the Summer Violence Reduction Initiative will give local cities and towns the increased support and resources they need to have a safer summer.”

Defendant: No defendant mentioned
City and state: Boston, Massachusetts
Exact date: Not mentioned
Sentence or outcome: No sentence or outcome mentioned
Dollar amounts: Not mentioned

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