Governor Baker awards Fall River, Taunton, other cities and towns, $7.7 million in grants to combat gang violence

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Secretary of Public Safety and Thomas Turco announced the release of $7.74 million in competitive Senator Charles E. Shannon Jr., Community Safety Initiative (Shannon CSI) Grant Program funds to communities and local partners to bolster their efforts to combat gang violence. The awards were made to 15 sites made up of 27 cities and 13 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 $33 million through the program since taking office.

“The Shannon Initiative is a successful program that allows the Commonwealth to partner with local communities and make a serious impact to prevent youth violence and gang activity,” said Governor Baker. “We are pleased to announce today’s recipients and look forward to working with everyone involved on another successful year of continuing Senator Shannon’s legacy of improving the lives of young people all across Massachusetts.”

“Our municipal and local partners are on the front lines of combatting the gang violence that threatens the safety and well-being of everyone in their communities,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “It is our honor to partner with them and members of the Legislature to support a program that helps get young people back on track and makes our communities safer.”

“For the last 13 years, Shannon funding has allowed the Boston Police Department to decrease youth and gang violence in the City of Boston with the support of community based non-profit groups and city led initiatives,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. “In addition, Shannon funds boost community based policing efforts in the city, which are a cornerstone of the department. Thanks to Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Secretary Thomas Turco for their investment in the Senator Charles. E. Shannon Community Safety Initiative for Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

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.

“We are proud to join with these communities and partners each year to help provide the tools necessary to make a serious impact on youth violence and gang activity,” said Secretary Turco. “Disrupting illegal activity makes these communities safer and helps young people redirect their lives in a positive direction.”

“Shannon grant funding is critically important to the City of Lowell and has been essential in helping the City have a real positive impact on public safety,” said Maryann Ballotta, Public Safety Research and Planning Director for the Lowell Police Department. “This funding has enabled us to develop a strong multi-disciplinary approach to gang and youth violence by focusing on prevention, intervention and suppression strategies. We are grateful to the Governor and his administration for their support.”

The grant program is named after the late Senator Charles E. Shannon of Winchester. Senator Shannon represented Massachusetts’ Second Middlesex district of Winchester, Woburn, Somerville and Medford from 1991 until his death in 2005 from leukemia. Prior to serving in the legislature, he had spent twenty years on the Lexington Police.

For 2019, the following municipalities and research partners were awarded a total of $7,741,913.

Shannon CSI Grant Sites:

· Boston (incl. Brookline) – $1,559,014.18

· Brockton – $544,527.37

· Fall River – $420,636.00

· Fitchburg (incl. Gardner) – $220,000.00

· Haverhill (incl. Methuen) – $185,334.80.

· Holyoke (incl. Chicopee) – $434,981.27

· Lawrence – $224,000.00

· Lowell – $581,262.41

· Lynn – $222,133.63

· Metro Mayors Coalition (incl. Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Winthrop) – $434,786.07

· New Bedford – $618,844.95

· Pittsfield – $197,964.94

· Springfield – $786,025.70

· Taunton (incl. Attleboro) – $86,316.55

· Worcester – $656,525.14

Local Action Research Partners (LARP):

· Clark University – $49,995.15

· Community Resources for Justice – $49,941.65

· Institute for Community Health – $49,970.00

· Kelley Research Associates- $45,540.00

· Northeastern University – $50,000.00

· North Shore Community College – $28,573.00

· Salem State University- $44,157.00

· Sean Varano $42,212.50

· University of Massachusetts, Amherst – $49,751.47

· University of Massachusetts, Boston – $50,000.00

· University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Haverhill/Methuen Site) – $29,709.61

· University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lawrence Site) – $29,709.61

· University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lowell Site) – $50,000.00