The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced the release of $5.7 million in competitive grants to cities and towns across Massachusetts who, with their local community partners, will use the funding to combat gang violence and support local at-risk youth.
Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Somerville and Winthrop will receive a collective $335,735 under the program — the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, or “Shannon Grant” — which targets gang violence in Massachusetts.
The grants provide funding to communities that demonstrate high levels of youth violence and gang activity, and who have a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners and a commitment to coordinated prevention and intervention strategies. Those strategies include social interventions, opportunity programs, time and personnel for gang task forces, and more.
“We are thrilled to continue working in collaboration with law enforcement and community groups to support at-risk youth in the Metro Mayors communities,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which staffs the Metro Mayors Coalition (MMC), a group of 14 cities and towns who collaborate in addressing common issues confronting urban core governments.
MAPC manages the grant for the MMC communities of Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop.
“We thank Governor Baker and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for their ongoing support of this important program to prevent youth violence and crime,” said Draisen.
Grant recipients and programming include:
- Chelsea
Chelsea Police Department: Dedicated Gang Officer
City of Chelsea/Jordan Boys & Girls Club: Teen Program
Roca, Inc. (Chelsea): Transitional/Youth Employment
- Everett
Everett Police Department: Metro Gang Task Force/Hot Spot Patrols
Everett Public Schools: Youth Employment
- Revere
Revere Police Department: Metro Gang Task Force/Hot Spot Patrols
Community Action Programs Inter-City/Revere Police Athletics League: PAL Programs
- Winthrop
Winthrop Police Department: Metro Gang Task Force/Hot Spot Patrols
Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA)/Winthrop: Youth Advisory Board