Evergreen Reporter

The U.S. Attorney's Office has announced its collaboration with local partners to reduce domestic violence, as part of a new initiative approved by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. This initiative involves 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, including San Juan in Puerto Rico.

The Justice Department, through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions, will work with these jurisdictions to develop plans aimed at reducing intimate partner firearm violence. The focus will be on prosecuting domestic violence offenders prohibited from owning firearms under Title 18 United States Code § 922(g).

Communities were chosen in collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure diverse representation from rural, suburban, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The selection was data-driven to identify areas that could benefit from additional resources to tackle intimate partner violence. Local jurisdictions have committed to partnering with the Department to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). This designation signifies a coordinated effort between the Department and local jurisdictions to use federal resources effectively against intimate partner firearm violence.

“The United States Attorney’s Office will continue allocating resources to effectively respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We appreciate the support of our partners at ATF and other state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as health care providers and other professionals in addressing domestic and related violence.”

“ATF stays in unison with our state and local partners in combatting intimate partner violence against members of our community,” added Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge ATF Miami Field Division.

In addition to this initiative, the Department of Justice has awarded several grants to support community efforts in Puerto Rico:

- The Women’s Advocate Office received $1,882,464 for the OVW Fiscal Year 2024 STOP Formula Grant Program.

- The Puerto Rico Department of Justice received $7,293,295 for the OVC FY24 VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant.

- The Puerto Rico Department of Justice also received $500,000 for the OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Enhancing Investigation and Prosecution Initiative.

- Solo Por Hoy received $500,000 for Grants to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence Against Children and Youth Program.

- The Women’s Advocate Office received $854,654 for the OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program.

- Proyecto Matria Inc. received $400,000 for Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program Expanding Legal Services Initiative.

- Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer received $367,379 for State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

- Boys & Girls Club of PR Inc. received $350,000 for Grants to Engage Men and Boys as Allies in Prevention Programs.

The Justice Department expects more jurisdictions to be designated under Section 1103 of VAWA as USAOs continue coordinating resources with their local stakeholders. All USAOs will continue efforts against intimate partner firearm violence as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy.

Complete List of Jurisdictions Designated under Section 1103 as of September 11, 2024:

Montgomery County (Alabama), Jefferson County (Alabama), Little Rock (Arkansas), Washington County (Arkansas), Fresno (California), San Diego (California), Hartford (Connecticut), Ward 7 (District of Columbia), Jacksonville (Florida), Alachua County (Florida), Metro Miami-Dade County (Florida), Macon-Bibb County (Georgia), DeKalb County (Georgia), Augusta (Georgia), City and County of Honolulu (Hawaii), Ada County (Idaho), Danville (Illinois), Rockford (Illinois), Madison County (Illinois), Gary (Indiana), Indianapolis (Indiana), Des Moines (Iowa), Linn County (Iowa), Garden City (Kansas), Fayette County (Kentucky), Louisville (Kentucky), Orleans Parish (Louisiana), Rapides Parish (Louisiana); Western Maine Region: Franklin/Oxford/Androscoggin Counties; Baltimore City; Boston; Saginaw; Lansing; Greenville; Jackson; Cape Girardeau County; Greene County; Gallatin County/Bozeman; Northeast Omaha; Las Vegas; Strafford County; Bernalillo County; Borough of Brooklyn; Onondaga County; Borough/County of Bronx; Monroe County; Fayetteville/Cumberland County; Forsyth County; Asheville/Eastern Band Cherokee Indians); Grand Forks; Toledo Muskogee Country/Muscogee Creek Nation); Portland Philadelphia Dauphin Allegheny San Juan Pawtucket Greenville Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Chattanooga Memphis/Shelby Gregg Amarillo Houston San Antonio Salt Lake South Hampton Roads Oswald Harris Court Housing Community Chittenden Spokane King Wheeling Area Kanawha Milwaukee Dane Fremont