|
Digital News Report – The State of California will be awarding money grants to combat gang violence.
“These grants will help support California’s local communities to prevent and fight gang violence, making our streets safer,” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this week.
Only 24 cities were selected to receive a total of $9.2 million. In considering what cities would receive the grants the state considered the number of gang-related homicides and other crimes.
Expert panels were created to judge the grants and help with the process. The city of LA received one million dollars.
Locally, cities in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties were awarded money. Watsonville was awarded $369,309, Gonzales was awarded $369,309, Salinas was awarded $369,230. Hayward and Oakland were both awarded $369,309.
“Part of the Governor’s anti-gang initiative is to bring additional resources to our local communities to help combat gang violence and prevent at-risk youth from joining gangs,” said Paul Seave, director of the Governor’s OGYVP (Office of Gang and Youth Violence Policy).
By Mark Williams