Governor Tony Evers (D-WI) announced a new round of funding from the federal government that is aimed to address violent crime in Wisconsin.
Roughly $800,000 will be directed to the city of Racine and will focus on a “public health approach to violence prevention,” according to a release from the governor’s office.
“Every Wisconsinite deserves safe neighborhoods to live, work, learn, and play in, and gun violence and crime has no place in our communities,” Evers said. “These investments, in addition to the strategic investments w have already made, will help curb the cycle of violence in Southeastern Wisconsin while ensuring young people are meaningfully engaged in their communities this summer and supporting local community programming to interrupt violence before it starts.”
Specifically, more than $250,000 will be used to purchase license-plate readers for “high-crime areas.” Approximately $150,000 is for a “Violence Interruption Coordinator” at the city’s health department. Other funds will be sent to a public safety program and Racine’s “credible messenger program.”
“I take the safety of our residents incredibly seriously and know that we must do everything we can to address the gun violence that is spreading throughout the community,” Racine Mayor Cory Mason added. “However, I also know that the city can’t do this on its own and that it takes partnerships – at many levels – to make real impacts. I can’t thank the governor enough for recognizing the crisis we face and for his willingness to partner and invest real resources into our city to help keep us all safe. His support brings additional resources to support law enforcement but also build on community programs aimed to stem the violence and reduce the trauma felt throughout the community.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tony Evers” by Tony Evers. Background Photo “Crime Scene” by Tony Webster. CC BY-SA 4.0.
