Comstock bill proposing federal anti-gang grant program proceeds to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives on March 14 approved a proposal offered by U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) that would set up a federal grant program for state and local efforts aimed at reducing gangs and violence.

If enacted, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2017, H.R. 3249, would establish the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. Grants would be awarded to encourage and enhance “existing partnerships to create safer neighborhoods through sustained reductions in crimes committed by criminal street gangs and transnational organized crime groups,” according to the congressional record summary.

H.R. 3249 also would authorize $50 million a year to the new grant program during fiscal years 2019 through 2021, according to Comstock’s office, which said 30 percent of the allocated federal funds under H.R. 3249 would be directed to existing gang task forces. Established groups such as the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force – which is comprised of 13 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working across the congresswoman’s district – currently are dealing with heavier crime activity from multinational gangs like MS-13, Comstock’s staff said.
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“I have seen firsthand the good work that gang task forces can do to remove the gang threats in our community. They are an important tool in crime prevention, and this legislation will make sure they have the tools they need to take on violent gangs like MS-13,” said Comstock, who introduced the bill on July 14, 2017. Cosponsors include U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ).

Rep. Comstock noted that the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force could use such additional federal monies to support its community policing efforts, which include officers who speak Spanish, understand gang culture, and are familiar with gang communities. Task force members also work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who Comstock said remove the dangerous gang members, “allowing the task force to work in our highest-risk schools on gang prevention and education.”

Jay Lanham, executive director of the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, lauded Rep. Comstock for her “unwavering support” of the organization. “She understands in detail the need for continued enforcement and intervention/prevention/education programs to combat the illicit gang activity in Northern Virginia. Her support is readily apparent in the introduction and passage of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act, which will provide much-needed financial support for the Task Force,” Lanham said.

Passed by a voice vote, the House-approved H.R. 3249 now heads to the U.S. Senate for its consideration.