New initiative to combat violent crime in Lexington announced

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A new initiative will work to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in Lexington.

It was announced Monday that along with the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Robert Duncan, Jr. and the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Lou Anna Red Corn, that the Lexington PD, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the FBI, DEA, and other local, state and federal law enforcement partners would be partnering up in the effort.

This new working group will team up with two existing violent crime reduction efforts, the Cease Fire Project and the Fayette County Violent Crime Task Force.

This collaboration is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s enhanced Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program.

The PSN is program that aims to reduce violent crime by incorporating long-standing law enforcement partnerships to help produce a long-term and effective reduction in violent crime.

The group will focus on catching individuals responsible for violent crimes and significant drug trafficking activities in the area.

This also includes those who commit acts of violence while armed with a firearm and those who commit armed drug trafficking.

Members of the LPD, FCSO, ATF, FBI, DEA, and the other law enforcement partners will meet regularly to exchange information and review cases.

The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to reduce violent crime and make Lexington neighborhoods safer for everyone.