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U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions praises members of Utah law enforcement

Utah had the privilege to host U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions as he praised members of Utah law enforcement for reducing crime by 8% in 2017 as compared to the previous year. The decrease came from a nationwide effort, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative by the US Department of Justice to reduce gun violence in the US. Launched in 2001 under President George W. Bush, the program has been revitalized and re-launched under the Trump Administration spearheaded by Sessions. The project involves partnerships designed to develop and implement strategies to reduce violence in communities. 

“This is no small feat,” commented U.S. Attorney for Utah John Huber, who opened the commemoration event that included Governor Gary Herbert, Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes, and hundreds of law enforcement members from across the state. 

Utah rates for violent crimes climbed at a higher rate than the national average for the previous two years. That was the main reason U.S. Attorney Huber chose to partner with U.S. AG Sessions on helping to launch a new, revitalized Project Safe Neighborhood program and focus in Utah. “Enough is enough,” stated Huber. 

“From day one, I plainly stated our goals were to reduce crime, reduce homicides, reduce opioid prescriptions, and reduce overdose deaths. I am proud to say that there are signs that we are already achieving all of these goals.” – U.S. Attorney General Sessions

Due to the outstanding success of PSN across the nation, the Department of Justice is awarding $30 million in grants to various districts in American. That includes $262,200 for continued efforts in the state of Utah.

“Our goal is not to fill up the courts or fill up the prisons.  Our goal is to reduce crime…to make every community safer—especially the most vulnerable.” – U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions

You can read U.S. Attorney General Sessions’ full speech here

You can watch the entire event here: