Matthew M. Graves, Firearms Trafficking, Washington 2024

WASINGTON DC – The District of Columbia is seeing a marked decline in firearms-related crimes thanks to a coordinated effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies. Two years ago, a whole-of-law enforcement approach was put in place to review every firearms arrest in the District, with a focus on data-driven decision making to determine whether cases should be prosecuted in U.S. District Court or in D.C. Superior Court.

The effort, known as ‘Project Safe Neighborhood’ (PSN), has seen tremendous success. In the two years since its implementation, the office has accepted 127 firearms cases for federal prosecution. Among the cases accepted as part of PSN, the average age of the defendant was 30 years old, 38% had gang or crew affiliations, 21% had a previous homicide arrest, 54% had a previous robbery arrest, and 52% were suspects in previous shootings.

U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves praised the efforts of his team and their partners, saying, ‘The work we have done between this Project Safe Neighborhood effort and our other efforts have collectively taken hundreds of drivers of violence out of our community over the last couple years.’ Graves emphasized that removing these drivers of violence has a significant impact on community safety.

Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) echoed Graves’ sentiments, saying, ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods is one of our most valued partnerships to date. The program frequently offers an immediate solution to swiftly removing prohibited possessors of firearms from our communities.’

Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) added, ‘DEA works diligently to protect the American public by conducting daily investigations and operations to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and criminals that pose a threat to our communities and endanger our citizens.’

FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Saul stated, ‘The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime in the District through targeted strategies like Project Safe Neighborhoods.’

MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith concluded, ‘As our officers work hard day in and day out to remove guns from our communities, collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners is vital to making sure we can hold offenders accountable.’

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