South Delco News

Rep. Craig Williams has announced the allocation of $3 million in the 2024-25 state budget to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. This initiative, which began with an initial funding of $1.5 million in 2021, has now accumulated over $10 million in total funds since its inception under Williams' leadership. The funding aims to secure additional prosecutors to combat gun possession by prior-convicted felons, focusing on Delaware and Philadelphia counties.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal initiative established by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2001. It focuses on creating safer neighborhoods by prosecuting felons found in possession of guns, a crime under both federal and state law. The program has been effective in reducing violent crime rates significantly.

Williams, a former Assistant United States Attorney who prosecuted federal crimes under PSN, emphasized the importance of this funding for hiring local assistant district attorneys as special assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs). These prosecutors will handle gun crime cases federally, where sentences are more severe and do not allow parole.

“As a former PSN prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the impact this program can have on reducing gun violence and making our communities safer,” said Williams. “This funding will enable us to continue this important program fighting violence in our region.”

Philadelphia continues to grapple with a significant gun violence crisis, with 1,660 shooting victims reported in 2023 alone. This underscores the need for increased prosecution efforts.

“Gun violence remains a critical issue,” stated Williams. “Our goal with PSN is to target the most dangerous offenders and remove illegal firearms from our streets. Convicted felons found in possession of guns clearly have no regard for the law. The answer is federal felony prosecution. I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues for their continued support of this initiative.”

Williams has had a distinguished career as both a federal prosecutor and Marine Corps prosecutor, dealing with cases involving violent crimes, narcotics, and terrorism. His dedication to public safety and effective law enforcement continues to drive his legislative efforts.