In a bold move to curb the rampant gun violence plaguing Pennsylvania, the Shapiro-Davis administration, through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), has sanctioned a hefty $13 million in grant funds aimed at tackling this critical issue, supporting victims, and bolstering prevention programming for the state's youth. The PCCD, chaired by Lt. Governor Austin Davis, made this decision in recognition of the dire need for action in the face of a statewide emergency playing out in the form of firearms-related crimes and tragedies.
Announced by Lt. Governor Davis last year as part of the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Initiative, nearly $1 million has been allocated for a novel statewide needs assessment for grasping the experiences and requirements of gun violence survivors and victim service professionals, an initiative that beckons a response amidst the current climate. "With the current epidemic of gun violence across Pennsylvania, it is past time to take action," Davis stated, underscoring the necessity to keep victim support at the forefront of the governmental approach. Lt. Governor Davis expressed enthusiasm about the actionable data the initiative is expected to yield, which will ideally pave an equitable way forward for communities besieged by this catastrophe.
The commitment to this cause has seen the dispatch of $1 million in federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) funds, part of a greater $3 million pledge to back the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Initiative. This financial backing will go towards executing a comprehensive needs assessment and introducing a pioneering strategy to establish a centralized resource for gun violence victims, akin to a resilience center utilized following mass violence incidents. A major aspect of these funds is to provide resources that are victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally sentient, targeting the immediate and enduring effects of gun violence on both survivors and local communities.
Illustrating further dedication, the Commission approved a $10 million scheme that promises additional resources for law enforcement agencies to align with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), supports the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS), and finances other projects tied to Pennsylvania’s federal Byrne SCIP Plan. This plan ambitiously aims to address both gun violence and associated behavioral health needs within the Pennsylvanian society.
As part of a broader mission to ensure public safety, Governor Shapiro has proposed an ambitious investment exceeding $100 million targeting gun violence prevention in the upcoming 2024-25 state budget. This proposal includes increased funding for PCCD’s successful violence intervention grant program and provisions for establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention under PCCD's purview. The Shapiro-Davis Administration's efforts are focused on transforming Pennsylvania into a haven where residents are free from the fear and reality of gun violence, as detailed on PCCD's website.
