For Immediate Release: July 20, 2018
On Wednesday, the Legislature passed its FY19 state budget, which included $8 million for the Shannon Community Safety Initiative known as the Shannon Grant. This is a $2 million increase from last year’s funding level and is the highest amount for the program since FY15.
The Shannon Grant was established in 2006, when the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition worked with the Legislature to allocate funding to combatting youth violence, gang violence, and substance abuse through regional, multi-disciplinary efforts. The program is nationally recognized for its effective approach to deterring gang and youth violence through targeted enforcement and prevention strategies.
Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Somerville, who serve as Chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, said “Today we celebrate the work and effort of the Legislature and our Shannon partners in increasing the funding level of the Shannon Grant to $8 million. We are tremendously grateful to the Legislature, and particularly to Chairwoman Karen Spilka and Chairman Jeffrey Sánchez, for increasing Shannon Grant funding. This increase is a recognition of the importance of this statewide effort for intervention and violence prevention.”
“Our law enforcement and prevention partners will use these additional funds to keep young people and neighborhoods safer,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), which staffs the Metro Mayors Coalition. “We are thrilled that the House and Senate have seen fit to increase their support for this critical program.”
The Metropolitan Mayors Coalition is a group of the Mayors and Managers of 15 cities and towns in the core of Metro Boston, working together to address common problems and concerns. MAPC is the regional land use planning agency for Greater Boston.
Amanda Linehan
Communications Manager, MAPC
617-933-0705
[email protected]