Fall River, New Bedford to receive grant money to combat gang violence

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Dan Bennett announced the release of $5.65 million in competitive grant funds to communities and local partners to bolster their efforts to combat gang violence. The awards were made to 15 sites across 27 cities and 12 research partners through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, which targets gang violence in the Commonwealth. With today’s announcement, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $26 million through the program since taking office.

“The Shannon Initiative employs a toolkit of techniques, from education to diversion and suppression, that help enable communities to make a significant impact on youth violence and gang activity,” said Governor Baker. “The Commonwealth has formed a number of important partnerships with cities and organizations through this initiative and we look forward to continuing that work this year to positively impact the futures of many young people and make our streets safer for everyone.”

“The cities and local partners selected for these grants have demonstrated their commitment and creativity in combatting gang violence that threatens the safety of everyone in their communities,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We value the partnership we have with the Legislature that allows us to make these bipartisan investments every year and build stronger and safer communities.”

“These funds are vital to assist us in our efforts of addressing gang violence in Boston,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans. “I wish to thank Governor Baker and Secretary Bennett for their continued support and ongoing commitment to this very important program.”

The grants provide funds to communities that demonstrate high levels of youth violence and gang problems, a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners and a commitment to coordinated prevention and intervention strategies. Funded strategies include social intervention and opportunity provision programs, as well as gang task force personnel costs and overtime.

“The communities and partners who take part in this program have given themselves the tools necessary to make a serious impact on youth violence and gang activity,” said Secretary Bennett. “The disruption of illegal activity makes these communities safer while getting young lives back on track.”

“The Shannon Community Safety Initiative is based on a positive youth development framework to ensure that youth have the people, places and opportunities that help them thrive and lead to positive, productive and healthy lives,” said Fall River Program Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey. “It is the caring adults like the mentors, case workers and outreach workers who work daily with the youth at places like schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCAs and connect them to recreational, educational and employment opportunities. This is what makes Shannon so successful.”

“The Metro Mayors Coalition is honored to continue working with law enforcement and community partners to support prevention strategies for at-risk youth in Greater Boston,” 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, alongside 18 local community groups. “We thank Governor Baker and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for their ongoing support of this critical program to help prevent youth violence and gang involvement.”

Sites chosen by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to receive an award demonstrated high levels of youth violence and gang problems within their locality, submitted a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners, and committed to providing a coordinated prevention and intervention strategy.

The municipalities and research partners awarded are as follows:

Shannon CSI Grant Sites:

Boston – $1,075,915.41

Brockton – $290,000.00

Fall River – $381,000.00

Fitchburg (incl. Gardner) – $142,709.24

Haverhill (incl. Methuen) – $130,000.00

Holyoke (incl. Chicopee) – $385,000.00

Lawrence – $214,700.00

Lowell – $528,000.00

Lynn – $189,851.22

Metro Mayors Coalition (incl. Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Winthrop) – $307,162.00

New Bedford – $330,654.00

Pittsfield – $70,697.56

Springfield – $595,000.00

Taunton (incl. Attleboro) – $74,310.57

Worcester – $490,000.00

Local Action Research Partners (LARP):

Clark University – $44.944.66

Community Resources for Justice – $ 44.989.32

Institute for Community Health – $39.999.65

Kelley Research Associates- $37.500.00

North Shore Community College – $23.573.00

Roger Williams University – $ 40.000.00

Salem State University- $30.333.34

University of Massachusetts, Amherst – $44.802.00

University of Massachusetts, Boston – $ 45.000.00

University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Haverhill/Methuen Site) – $ 26.953.00

University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lawrence Site) – $ 26,953.00

University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lowell Site) – $ 44,952.03