Curbing crime goal for Project Safe Streets

A new crime-fighting program in Linn County has four key components: Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and, most importantly, the community.

It's called the Safe Streets Project.  The program, used in communities nationwide, is meant to rid neighborhoods of gang-related activity and violent crimes.  While it stretches throughout Linn County, Cedar Rapids is the main focus.

Cedar Rapids Police Chief Greg Graham says the idea to form a Safe Streets Task Force first came up last spring when the city saw a spike in violent crimes.  The program officially began in late December.  Chief Graham calls it a proactive approach to keeping gangs and violent crimes from overtaking the city.

“Some people say it already is, and it's close. But we do everything we can to rid it. I don't know that we'll ever be able to completely rid Cedar Rapids of crime, but that's my goal.”

Chief Graham says Project Safe Streets is helping the city slowly inch toward that goal.  He says so far this year, violent crimes have dropped 15 percent from the same time last year.  His officers are also making fewer arrests, which means they are tracking down repeat offenders.  The chief says the program demands help from the community.

“If you look at why gangs even originated, it has to do with kids being bored and having nothing to do. We have to get parents more involved with kids and get the community more involved and cooperating with us.”

The FBI fully funds this effort and provides a greater ability to put offenders behind bars for longer periods.

“Local and state officers are federally deputized so they have authority anywhere in the US,” says FBI Special Agent Weysan Dun.

About six officers and agents work full-time on the Safe Streets task force, including two people with the Cedar Rapids police department.  This is the only Safe Streets Project in the state of Iowa at this time.

“It's a program that continues as long as necessary, and we do reevaluate every year to make sure it is working. We will continue it for as long as it has a positive benefit in the community,” says Dun.

-- Claire Kellett, KCRG-TV9