Gov. Murphy Announces Largest Violence Intervention Initiative in New Jersey State History

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The largest community-based violence intervention and protection initiative in New Jersey State history was announced by the Murphy Administration on Thursday, 1/27/2022.

25 non-profit organizations will receive a total of $8.2 million in federal grant funding for community-based violence intervention programs.

Governor Murphy and Attorney General Bruck also announced Thursday (1/27) a $7 million investment in gunshot detection technology, "making it easier for first responders and law enforcement to more effectively respond to—and reduce—gun violence in New Jersey’s communities."

The investment, funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, is announced amidst a national spike in gun violence.

Recipients of the $8.2 million in federal funding will work to integrate a network of acoustic detection systems, video management systems, and automatic license plate readers.

These systems aim to reduce response time to gun violence, gain a better idea of the location of gun violence incidents, identify shooters, make faster arrests, and reduce "instances of retaliatory violence." Additionally, the investment theoretically supplies prosecutors with the ability to obtain critical evidence necessary to land higher conviction rates of gun violence offenders.

25 community-based non-profits were announced as recipients of the $8.2 million in federal funding. These 25 organizations are based in 15 New Jersey municipalities in every region of the state.

A press release from the New Jersey State Office of the Governor states that the funding supports “intervention strategies that provide alternatives to violence and embody a community-based public safety model.”

Among the recipients are two Paterson-based non-profit organizations: Reimaging Justice Inc., and the Juvenile Education and Awareness Project, both of which “work to build community support for violence reduction.”

In 2021, law enforcement reported 110 shooting incidents in Paterson, NJ, resulting in 18 homicides by gunfire.

The announcement comes as the Murphy administration continues its efforts to combat and prevent gun violence in New Jersey communities by “addressing the root causes of violence, supporting innovative policing initiatives, building the technological infrastructure to improve response times, and engaging and empowering traditionally underserved communities to cope with the trauma gun violence leaves in its wake.”

Recipients of the $8.2 million in federal funding include:

1. Juvenile Education and Awareness Project, Passaic ($47,087)

2. Reimagining Justice, Inc., Paterson ($500,000)

3. Newark Community Street Team, Inc., Newark ($499,996)

4. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ, Asbury Park ($93,416)

5. Mighty Writers, Camden ($500,000)

6. Advocacy Foundation, Inc., Atlantic County ($365,758)

7. HMH Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune ($499,957)

8. Hope and Future, Inc., West New York ($250,000)

9. James R Halsey Foundation of the Arts, Trenton ($50,000)

10. After School All-Stars New Jersey, Newark ($118,950)

11. Salvation and Social Justice, Trenton ($500,000)

12. Center For Family Services, Inc., Camden ($245,008)

13. United Community Corporation, Newark ($500,000)

14. Life Worth Living, Inc., Bridgeton ($430,885)

15. Elizabeth Youth Theatre Ensemble, Elizabeth ($380,240)

16. Prevention Education, Inc. T/A PEI Kids, Lawrence ($348,990)

17. United Advocacy Group, Inc., Bridgeton ($261,310)

18. The Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Families, Inc., Galloway ($52,545)

19. Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County, Jersey City ($500,000)

20. Nicholas Luciano Safe Way Out A NJ Nonprofit, Mount Laurel ($200,000)

21. Inside Outside Circle Foundation, Newark ($181,153)

22. The HUBB Arts & Trauma Center (FP YouthOutCry Foundation, Inc.), Newark ($487,343)

23. Hear My Cries A NJ Nonprofit Organization, Newark ($498,000)

24. REFAL, INC., Newark ($500,000)

25. Weequahic Park Environmental Authority, Newark ($227,000)



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