Contact: Gina Balaya (313)226-9758

Thursday May 11, 8:30 am ET

DETROIT, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Attorney's Office's public awareness campaign for Project Safe Neighborhoods ("PSN"), a gun violence reduction program, received a national award from the U.S. Justice Department at the PSN national conference in Denver, Colorado on May 3, 2006, United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced today.

The award for "Outstanding Mass Media Campaign," went to The Goodwin Co., public relations and marketing consultant to the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative in the Eastern District of Michigan, in recognition of its campaign, "Help Us Help You," designed by marketing strategist Peggy Goodwin. The campaign encouraged citizen participation in crime prevention, and won the honor based on the criteria of endurance/perseverance, influence, innovation and the ability to provide results.

United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said, "This award not only recognizes the excellent work of Peggy Goodwin, it highlights the importance of getting the message out that gun violence can be reduced when citizens, community leaders, and law enforcement work together. We have been fortunate to have the talent and professionalism of Ms. Goodwin dedicated to the important work of raising public awareness."

Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty presented the award and remarked, "The recipients of the awards are recognized for their selfless and steadfast commitment to the fight against gun crime and gang violence, and their efforts represent the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods."

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a collaborative initiative between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, businesses, the media and citizens at large to strengthen neighborhoods based on the three-prong approach of enforcement, prevention and public awareness.

The "Help Us Help You" campaign recognizes the fact that enforcement is only one component of crime reduction; effective crime prevention is contingent upon citizen involvement. Since 2003, the campaign, to date, has resulted in hundreds of felons with guns being taken off the streets of Michigan neighborhoods. Many times the prosecution is based on citizen tips to 1-800-ATF-GUNS. In addition, town halls have been organized in various neighborhoods to help and encourage citizens to organize neighborhood watches, block clubs, use trigger locks and become the eyes and ears of their community.

For more information, contact Project Safe Neighborhoods, Eastern District of Michigan at 1.800.891.8881 or visit http://www.psnworks.org.

Source: Project Safe Neighborhoods