Tampa police have teamed up with local nonprofit Safe and Sound Hillsborough to launch a youth gun violence prevention initiative supported by a significant grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The program aims to reach at least 500 children by providing constructive activities and mental wellness services, particularly during the summer months when youth are more vulnerable to crime.
With an investment of up to $250,000, the initiative will enhance existing programs and facilitate relationships between police officers and youth. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw emphasizes that effective crime prevention is a community effort, reflected in the city’s declining gun violence rates this year, including a 40% drop in homicides in the first quarter. As the Tampa Youth Violence Prevention Week approaches, community leaders are optimistic about the program’s potential impact on local youth and safety.
Read full story at www.fox13news.com
