(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The Justice Department recently announced the addition of Pueblo as one of five new sites for a partnership initiative to improve safety and reduce violence, according to the Pueblo Police Department (PPD).

The Justice Department’s National Public Safety Partnership provides sites with coordinated training, technical help, and a range of targeted violence reduction resources from the Department’s programmatic and law enforcement components. The program was created in 2014 and formally adopted by the Justice Department as an intensive training and technical assistance protocol in 2017.

Pueblo joins DeKalb County, Georgia; Seattle, Washington; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Tampa, Florida. The program works with jurisdictions of different sizes and diverse needs to support customized and data-driven strategies.

PPD said the program focuses on eight core areas; community engagement, constitutional policing, crime analysis, criminal justice collaboration, federal partnerships, gun violence, investigations, and technology. 67 cities have participated in the program to date.

“This is just another example of how we are trying different strategies, combined with good old-fashioned police work, to make a difference,” explained Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller. “I am excited as we develop and share more about this incredible opportunity in the coming months.”

“Reducing violence and focusing on public safety is a top priority for the City of Pueblo, so I am grateful our community is one of five chosen to participate in the PSP program with the Department of Justice,” said Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham. “This is a unique opportunity to see how other cities focus on addressing similar issues and to have support from the DOJ. We’ll be able to work collaboratively within our own Pueblo Police Department and alongside the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, and other community partners to address violent crime in Pueblo.”