Waterbury health officials are pursuing a $2 million grant from the state to implement community-driven strategies against gun violence, described as a “disease” affecting the city’s youth. Focusing on young Black males aged 18 to 34, the city’s health department identifies personal disputes as a significant cause of the gun violence that persists despite a broader decline in violent crime.
The proposed funding would facilitate the creation of a “Gun Violence Prevention Partnership,” aimed at coordinating existing programs and fostering new initiatives targeting prevention and intervention. This grant could represent 80% of the available state funding aimed at municipalities with elevated rates of gun violence, highlighting Waterbury’s urgent need for comprehensive solutions to this pressing issue.
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