The federal government has canceled $1.24 million of a $1.6 million grant intended to combat gun violence in Springfield, just days after approving budget revisions. This abrupt halt means numerous community violence prevention initiatives led by a coalition of local agencies, including the Springfield Police Division and the NAACP, are now paused, risking critical outreach efforts aimed at a youth demographic increasingly impacted by gun violence.
In response, the coalition has filed an appeal with the Department of Justice, emphasizing the sudden termination disrupts planned violence-interruption outreach set to begin soon. They highlight that six homicides occurred in Springfield in 2024 and express concern for community trust, stating, “Gun violence does not stop because things have changed with funding.” Local leaders are committed to seeking alternative funding sources to resume their lifesaving initiatives for vulnerable neighborhoods.
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