Western Mass cities see cuts in gang prevention grants
SPRINGFIELD – A gang violence prevention grant the city has had for two decades has been reduced by one-third, leaving some concerned it will cut into youth programs that keep young people off the street.
This year's Shannon Community Safety Initiative grant was cut back to $860,688 from the previous year's $1.24 million. It is the first time in recent memory the grant funding has dropped below $1 million in the city, Police Lt. Brian Elliott said.
Springfield is not the only one to face cuts in the Shannon grants. The program, which began in 2006, was reduced across the board this year due to budget belt-tightening, state officials said.
"We entered this year's process with the expectation of level funding, hoping for the best," Elliott said. "We were happy to get what we got, but with a 31% reduction we have to look at everything much closer."
The grant, provided through the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, allows local police departments to partner with community agencies to provide a wide variety of youth programs. Some run after-school sports leagues while others provide job training and there are also summer camps, counseling opportunities and programs to help youth who had previously been in juvenile detention programs.
Nearly 70% of all funding from the grant goes to community partners to run programs. The remainder goes directly to the police department for gang prevention and investigation operations. The programs are continually studied by outside agencies including college research centers to ensure their efficacy, officials said.
This year, Springfield requested proposals from interested partners in August. It received 23 applications, many from organizations who have worked with the police department for multiple years through the grant program. There are also some new ones that are seriously being considered, Elliott said.
Last year, the city had 13 different partners through the program, Elliott said. The city is expected to award the grants this week, he said.
This year, the Shannon Community Safety Initiative was cut after investing more than $51.4 million in violence prevention programs over the past five years, said Renee Algarin, director of communications for the state office.
The Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research has awarded a total of $8 million to Springfield in Shannon grants and other violence prevention initiatives in the city during the same period of time, said Algarin.
"Difficult decisions had to be made in the (fiscal year 2026) budget because of slower revenue growth and funding cuts at the federal level, but we worked hard to ensure that there was still significant funding for this essential program," Algarin said. "Shannon CSI remains a vital long-term investment in community-based partnerships that promote public safety and reduce violence, and we remain committed to building upon that work," she said.
For a number of years, Holyoke and Chicopee have collaborated to receive a Shannon Grant together. That grant has also been cut.
"Like many communities, Holyoke experienced a 30% reduction in Shannon funding this year," said Holyoke Police Sgt. Joseph Zurheide, department spokesman. "While this reduction presents challenges, our focus remains on being responsible stewards of public funds. Working closely with our community partners, we are committed to maximizing every dollar, prioritizing high-impact services and trimming areas from prior years that we believe will have the least impact on the youth we serve."
While the reduction is disappointing, Zurheide said department officials still feel the program is important and thanked the state for continuing it. Some of the partners in the two cities include the Boys and Girls Club of Holyoke and the Boys and Girls Club in Chicopee.
"The Holyoke Police Department and our partners remain fully committed to the mission of the Shannon (Community Safety Initiative)," Zurheide said. "Through collaboration, careful planning, and efficient use of resources, we will continue delivering meaningful prevention, intervention and support services for young people in our city."
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