Shreveport looks for federal funding to fight gun violence

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - Shreveport Police are hoping to land some federal grant money to fight gun violence in the city.

The money is part of a national program called Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

Just under $160,000 is available for the entire Western District of Louisiana. If approved, SPD and Caddo Sheriff's Office would split up about $40,000 dollars to fight gun violence in Shreveport.

The Shreveport Police Department was selected by the United States Attorneys Office Western District of Louisiana to be the fiscal agent for the grant. That means they will also make sure all agencies awarded money will be using it according to federal law. SPD will also receive 10% of the grant for administrative costs associated with being the fiscal agent.

The money would probably be available toward the end of the year.

"If you look at a lot of the violent crimes, firearms are tied in to it, ether a firearm was used or brandished or threatened to be used, so I think you are targeting a lot of different crimes when you talk about gun violence," explained SPD Chief Administrative Assistant Ben Raymond.

Shreveport City Councilors expressed support for the application at Monday's work session. City council approval is the first step in the application process.

The final vote to approve the application process will be held on July 24.

Copyright 2018 KSLA. All rights reserved.