commitment between the community residents and law enforcement Evaluate results regularly to assess VCIT progress toward achieving the goals Composition VCIT consists of federal agents and support personnel working with state and local law enforcement, producing interdependent benefits and powerful technology of all participating agencies. In addition to the ATF, The Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, federal and state prosecutors, state and local law enforcement officers, and federal and state parole officers may participate in the VCIT program. Partnerships Partnerships are deemed essential for VCIT. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies actively work together through patrolling and conducting proactive investigations to improve prevention efforts through targeted outreach efforts within at-risk communities. In addition, resources in the communities, such as community leaders and social service agencies, provide help for VCIT. The partnerships cultivate positive relationships between law enforcement and communities, resulting in stronger existing partnerships and new relationships forming. The VCIT routinely and systematically analyzes problems before developing solutions by utilizing a partnered problem-solving process. ATF Commitment Federal, State, and local partners must work with an understanding of the knowledge of ATF capabilities available to them in support of their local enforcement efforts. ATF commits to distributing new technologies and investigative advances to help suppress violent criminals in VCIT cities. These tools increase the ability to collect, analyze, and disseminate data, increasing the likelihood for identifying violent crime areas, targeting individuals accountable for firearms-related crime, and improving the quality of life in communities. Technology, such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), Crime Gun Analysis Branch (CGAB), and the National Field Office Case Information System (NFOCIS), helps accomplish the goals of the VCIT initiative. Results More than 2,000 arrests of individuals possessing firearms and other criminals, received local, state or federal charges through the program in 2006. The VCIT arrested 650 of the "worst" offenders and the team recovered more than 4,900 firearms. In 2006, the VCIT program added five cities (Atlanta, Georgia, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Birmingham, Alabama, Laredo, Texas and Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Best Practice Report: Success The "Best Practice Report" identifies the specific practices contributing most to the program's success. In addition, the analysis is essential to strengthen future VCIT deployments. The ten "Best Practice" implementations include: Set clear goals and measure performance Develop collaborative partnerships with local police Target the "worst" criminals Use the full array of intelligence assets Maintain a dynamic approach when targeting offenders