The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois has announced an expansion of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) in Chicago. This initiative, part of the Department of Justice’s strategy to reduce violent crime, will now include downtown Chicago’s economic centers and the entire rail system operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).
Previously, PSN was implemented in seven neighborhoods on Chicago’s West and South sides. The expansion will extend the program to three police districts in downtown financial zones and on CTA trains connecting all city neighborhoods and two international airports. This marks the first deployment of PSN on mass transit anywhere in the country.
U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros, who took office on April 7, 2025, emphasized the importance of safety for economic vitality in downtown areas. “Downtown Chicago is the capital of the region’s economy and the cultural and civic heart of the Midwest,” he stated.
The announcement was made alongside members of the PSN Chicago Task Force, including representatives from federal agencies such as the FBI, ATF, DEA, and local law enforcement like the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling highlighted collaboration as key to reducing violence: “Project Safe Neighborhoods reflects this spirit of collaboration.” Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart welcomed federal resources to combat crimes threatening downtown Chicago’s economy.
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon noted that combining resources would help disrupt violent crime in key areas. FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas S. DePodesta reiterated a commitment to holding offenders accountable.
Originally launched in 2001, PSN focuses on strategic enforcement against violent offenders while partnering with prevention programs for lasting crime reduction. The expanded initiative designates new PSN Enforcement Zones downtown and aboard CTA trains where funds can be used for various anti-violence strategies.
Efforts will target illegal firearm possession, drug trafficking, robberies, carjackings, and other offenses with aggressive prosecution sought for those arrested within these zones.
The newly designated area extends from Division Street on Near North Side to I-55 between Clark Street and Lake Michigan on Near South Side, reaching west to Ogden Avenue between Grand Avenue and I-290.
