X
Drug, Gang & Violent Crime
Drug Control
 

The DGVCC Program seeks to curtail the flow of illicit drugs, drug proceeds and instruments used to perpetuate violence across Arizona and reduce violent crime and illicit drug use and deter repeat offenders in Arizona. In response to drug, gang and violent crime in Arizona, the following six purpose areas have been identified as potential funding areas for the Drug Control Grant:

  • Apprehension
  • Prosecution
  • Forensic Support Services
  • Adjudication and Sentencing
  • Corrections and Community Corrections
  • Prevention and Education.
 

Apprehension: Serving as the entry point into the criminal justice system and having a primary role in maintaining public order and enforcing the law, law enforcement efforts play a critical role in contributing to the achievement of the two goals of the Strategy. Key elements of focus include disrupting and dismantling trafficking and associated criminal networks, and interdicting drugs, proceeds, and weapons.

The apprehension purpose area may include, but is not limited to, efforts promoting enhanced information sharing and intelligence exchange, approaches to address locally distinct drug, gang and violent crime-related challenges, and proactive policing strategies to address drug, gang and violent crime such as multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task forces. Over the years, the DGVCC program has provided consistent support to multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional drug, gang and violent crime task forces and has regarded task forces and their tandem prosecution projects as the centerpiece of program efforts.

 

Prosecution: With the duty of seeking justice and protecting the public safety and welfare of the community, prosecutorial efforts have a critical function as cases about drug, gang and violent crime move through the criminal justice system, from investigation to charging decisions and sentencing. Prosecutorial efforts are an important contributor to achieving the goals of the Strategy, with a primary role of holding offenders properly accountable.

The prosecution purpose area may include, but is not limited to, prosecutorial efforts in tandem with multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional drug, gang and violent crime task forces, efforts to deny criminals currency, property and drugs such as statewide civil forfeiture efforts, and other effective prosecution strategies to address drug, gang and violent crime. Historically, prosecution efforts in tandem with multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task forces have been a primary focus for moving forward the goals of the DGVCC program.

 

Forensic Support Services: Forensic support services directed toward detecting crime and identifying criminals are fundamental to supporting law enforcement and prosecution agencies in addressing drug, gang and violent crime. Providing expedient, reliable, accurate and unbiased forensic support services promotes efficient case processing and enhances the operation of law enforcement and prosecution functions in the state, contributing to the advancement of the goals of the Strategy. The Commission has provided continuous support to the forensic support services purpose area over the years, as forensic support projects have provided significant utility to apprehension and prosecution efforts.

The forensic support services purpose area includes activities such as evidence examination and analysis, development of investigative leads, training, providing expert courtroom testimony and other forensic support services as they pertain to drug, gang and violent crime-related cases.

 

Adjudication and Sentencing: When stability and balance are characteristic of adjudication and sentencing processes for drug, gang and violent crime cases, there is greater system efficiency, offenders are held appropriately accountable, and offenders often receive services to deter repeat offenses. Efficient, effective adjudication processes contribute to moving forward the goals of the Strategy. Traditionally, the Commission has regarded the adjudication and sentencing purpose areas as fulfilling a critical support role to apprehension and prosecution efforts and thus has provided consistent support to adjudication and sentencing projects.

The adjudication and sentencing purpose area may encompass a range of activities associated with court processes. Such activities include, but are not limited to, pre-trial services, improved criminal court case processing, supporting specialty courts and public defender services.

 

Corrections and Community Corrections: Corrections and community corrections are critical elements to assuring public safety and offender accountability in addition to providing opportunities to deter repeat offenses. Corrections and community corrections can be a pathway for impacting drug, gang and violent crime and moving forward the goals of the Strategy.

This purpose area includes projects responding to the needs of prison and jail facilities and corrections practitioners to providing secure care for offenders of drug, gang and violent crime. Projects could include, but are not limited to, safety and security improvements, inmate programming, corrections equipment and technology, and contraband control and detection. For community corrections, projects may include, but are not limited to, pre-release planning, coordinated reentry services, and supporting probation and parole services for offenders of drug, gang and violent crime.

 

Prevention and Education: Effective prevention and education efforts designed to prevent and/or reduce drug, gang and violent crime are cost-effective and result in increased public safety. A proactive approach that addresses drug, gang and violent crime before its inception and creates an opportunity to thwart negative consequences related to safety, health, and academic achievement. Prevention and education efforts may be an effective means for moving forward the goals of the Strategy.

The prevention and education purpose area encompasses evidence-based interventions and environmental prevention strategies. Efforts should involve multiple sectors of the community and focus on reducing access and opportunity, enforcing consequences and decreasing the likelihood of engaging in drug, gang and/or violent crime by addressing risk and protective factors.


 

If you would like to access the latest EDGE (Enhanced Drug and Gang Enforcement) Report click here.