Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced a $15 million increase in funding to further support grassroots gun violence prevention efforts through the Pennsylvania Commission for Crime and Delinquency’s Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention program.
“Pennsylvania – and the nation – continues to fight a tragic gun violence crisis. We need to spark change at a local level, which is why I’m glad to commit an additional $15 million to community-based gun violence prevention programs,” said Wolf. “But I also want to call on our legislators to partner with me over this next year to improve public safety and equity.
“This investment is one piece of the puzzle, but we also need to address the systemic and structural issues that cause inequity – and harm – in our society. We need to invest in schools, we need good jobs that pay fair wages, and we need to give communities across Pennsylvania the resources they need for a good quality of life.”
PCCD initially had $8 million in state dollars for the next round of Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention grants to be funded this month. The extra $15 million, available through the federal American Rescue Plan, will further extend the reach of community violence prevention programming in the commonwealth.
“More people were murdered with guns in Pennsylvania in 2020 than any year on record. This important down payment will start to change that trend by investing in the community heroes who work tirelessly to staunch the bleeding,” said Adam Garber, executive director, CeaseFire PA Education Fund.
