Congressman Cohen Announces $536,609 Grant for the University of Memphis

The University of Memphis will support the Operation Safe Community: Integrated Gang and Violent Crime Reduction Project, a crime abatement initiative in Shelby County developed in partnership with government, law enforcement, private sector and community leaders.

“I am very pleased that the Department of Justice has selected the University of Memphis to receive this funding to help keep our streets safe,” said Congressman Cohen. “New York City police officer Edward Byrne was murdered by gang members in 1988, and in memory of his service, Congress instituted this program to curb gang violence in communities across the country. Gangs continue to plague the streets of Memphis, and I believe that this funding will help our local law enforcement agencies combat these groups and promote positive youth development in our community.”

The University of Memphis will utilize this grant to build upon the highly successful Memphis Project Safe Neighborhoods Project, which involves a partnership of local and federal agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and the Memphis field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The University of Memphis will maintain support for crime analysis to local law enforcement agencies; perform a comprehensive assessment of violent crime in Memphis and Shelby County; conduct a comprehensive assessment of gangs in Memphis and Shelby County; implement a pilot project in Shelby County for youth development programs; and provide evaluation support for Operation Safe Community.

“This Congress has made the eradication of violent crime in our cities a major priority,” said Congressman Cohen. “I will continue to fight for more funding for the 9th District to end gang violence and organized crime in our community. I thank the Department of Justice for recognizing the efforts of the University of Memphis and our local law enforcement agencies and rewarding them with this competitive award.”

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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265