FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2023
For More Information:
Adam Garber, CeaseFirePA Executive Director, (267) 515-1220, adam.garber@ceasefirepa.org
Brandon Flood, CeaseFirePA Deputy Director, (717) 623-2432, brandon@ceasefirepa.org
CeaseFirePA Applauds Gov. Shapiro Budget’s Continued Investment In Violence Intervention Programs
Harrisburg, PA—Today, Governor Josh Shapiro called on lawmakers to invest an additional $105 million in violence intervention and prevention programs during his inaugural budget address. This continues historic levels of investment from the Wolf Administration at the PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) to support community-centered strategies that have been proven to reduce gun violence.
With the announcement, CeaseFirePA released a letter signed by more than 40 community-violence intervention organizations, doctors, and survivors urging the General Assembly to continue funding these life-saving programs at a similar level to Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal.
CeaseFirePA Education FundExecutive Director, Adam Garber, issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement validates a simple fact: the community has the solutions. For years, local leaders have stepped in to de-escalate conflict, connect high-risk individuals to social service programs, and mentor youth to stop the cycle of violence and trauma from continuing. This continued investment will give these evidence-based programs the fuel they need to disrupt gun violence before another life is lost.”
“These programs have received bipartisan support before. We urge the General Assembly to follow Governor Shapiro’s leadership and continue to provide focused, sustained investment in safer communities.”
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As the Commonwealth’s leading gun violence prevention organization, CeaseFirePA works to ensure everyone can live a life free from gun violence. We organize with communities closest to the issue, hold those in power accountable, and maximize the strengths of every member in our broad coalition.
