Hitting the streets to tackle gun violence head-on, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has laid out a multi-layered strategy, banking on a $100 million investment as per the 2024-25 budget proposal. Shapiro, accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, took the pulse of bipartisan leaders, gun violence survivors, and advocates in both Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia last week, looking to amp up resources for local groups dedicated to stamping out street shootings and boost law enforcement efforts.
At the heart of the Governor's plan is a hefty $37.5 million boost for the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program, which operates under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The funds are earmarked for grassroots organizations with their fingers on their communities' pulse, aiming to disrupt the cycle of violence that threatens daily life. Additionally, Shapiro and Davis are pushing for the General Assembly to put some muscle behind Pennsylvania's gun laws with new legislation that's already seen some bipartisan backing, like universal background checks and a ban on ghost guns, as reported by the Governor's newsroom.
A slew of testimonials have come to light, showcasing the on-the-ground impact of the VIP program. Meredith Elizalde, who tragically lost her son and students to gun violence, stressed the importance of prevention, telling the Governor's newsroom, "I want to prevent children from becoming shooters, from becoming victims." Similarly, Jim Hardy of the Kensington Soccer Club highlighted, "this funding enables us to reach so many more than we used to and have a much bigger impact on each person."
Felicia Bryant-Dawson, a parent and board member of the club, attested to the program's positive influence on kids. Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight from Mothers in Charge praised Shapiro's commitment, marking it as unprecedented in her two decades of advocacy. "Never has the Governor made a commitment to support gun violence in my 21 years. This is a new day," she told the Governor's newsroom.
On the legislative front, Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce and Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown vocalized their support for Shapiro's funding plan, projecting it as a crucial backing for crime investigation and prosecution endeavors. Moreover, legislators spanning the aisle, including Republican Sanguedolce, have underscored the nonpartisan nature of the movement, expressing their readiness to get behind Shapiro's proposal and secure necessary funds to make Pennsylvanians safer. Senate Minority Appropriations Chairman Vince Hughes, along with colleagues such as Senator Marty Flynn and House Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris, have touted the efficacy of community-based prevention work and the need to channel funds to these efforts.
