Pennsylvania Puts $105.5 Million Towards Curbing Gun Violence

Since its founding nearly two and a half centuries ago, America has long been a nation of guns. But what happens when they get into the wrong hands?

PENNSYLVANIA STATE | The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has committed $105.5 million for two new violence intervention programs aimed at curbing gun violence.

“The community groups working tirelessly to combat violence told us they needed more resources: we heard them and are answering those calls,” said Senator Vincent Hughes. “Eighteen months ago, there was no money in this space. A year ago, we were able to invest $45 million in these groups. We cannot wait to see the life-changing work these groups are able to accomplish.”

The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Program will provide $85.5 million in grants for community organizations, municipalities, institutions of higher education, and district attorneys to initiate programs that address community violence and prevention efforts. Awards will range from $25,000 to $2.5 million and will support project activities over a 29-month period. Interested parties can submit applications online by October 12, 2022.

The Coordinated Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Strategies Pilot Program provides $15 million to support between five and eight pilot projects aimed at preventing and responding to violence. Awards of up to $3 million are available to launch and implement a pilot project over a 32-month period. Interest parties can apply online by October 31, 2022.

“Philadelphia is supposed to be the City of Brotherly Love, but we are not living up to that name,” said Representative Amen Brown. “Our communities are suffering and young people are dying due to senseless acts of gun violence. We have to do our part as elected officials to invest in our people and our communities. We can only do that by ensuring gun violence prevention programs are accessible to youth to show them that they have options and do not have to be a statistic. Prevention starts at home, right here in our own backyards.”