In October 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office established a Wyoming Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Leadership Committee. This initiative aims to allocate PSN resources in Wyoming, focusing on crime prevention and reduction strategies while overseeing program progress.
The committee analyzed Wyoming's crime data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System and decided to concentrate efforts in Laramie County. Key focus areas include violent offenders targeting children, armed offenders prohibited from firearm possession, recidivists of violent crimes, intimate partner violence offenders using firearms, and those involved in human trafficking.
“The goal of bringing this committee together is to make Wyoming safer by supporting local and state law enforcement and prosecutors, and by prosecuting appropriate violent offenders in federal court where they will receive long prison sentences,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann.
In early 2024, both the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and Cheyenne Police Department were approved for PSN grant funding aimed at reducing violent crime. Officials from these agencies joined the leadership committee to address local needs through programs emphasizing PSN's core elements.
"Project Safe Neighborhoods is a vital partnership between all levels of law enforcement," commented Cheyenne Police Chief Mark Francisco. "By combining our resources and expertise, we can effectively identify offenders, enhance prevention efforts, and strengthen our communities."
Sheriff Brian Kozak plans to use PSN resources for services aiding criminal justice agencies in Laramie County and supporting domestic violence victims. His initiatives include hosting an advanced homicide investigation course for detectives and acquiring cameras for documenting evidence after assaults. “The collaboration of the PSN Leadership Committee will help us to bring about justice following a violent crime,” he said.
Participating agencies on the Leadership Committee include:
- Cheyenne Police Department
- Laramie County District Attorney’s Office
- Laramie County Sheriff’s Office
- Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police
- Wyoming Department of Corrections
- Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Homeland Security Investigations
- United States Attorney’s Office
- United States Marshals Service
"The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is honored to be partnered with our state, local, and federal partners on the PSN initiative,” remarked Ronnie Jones, Director of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. “I am thankful for the cooperation commitment and work the United States Attorney's office has provided to this program to help make our state a safer place to live and work.”
For more information about programs within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming or Project Safe Neighborhoods visit their respective websites: www.justice.gov/usao-wy or www.justice.gov/psn.