The Michigan chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that $30 million of American Rescue Plan funds will be allocated towards local violence prevention and reduction initiatives. The proposal is part of the larger Safe Communities framework announced in July and includes funding for a range of community violence prevention initiatives. The $30 million will be divided into 30 $1 million grants that will go to Michigan communities experiencing the highest increases in violent crime.
“Violence intervention programs save lives. By investing in local violence interrupters, Governor Whitmer has demonstrated her commitment to making Michigan a safer place to live,” said Lindsay Warren, a volunteer with the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action. “As gun violence continues to destroy lives and families across our communities, investment in public safety remains more critical than ever.”
The $30 million investment is intended for community-based violence intervention and prevention (CVI) programs, including:
- Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Services
- Wraparound Services for High-Risk Youth and Young Adults
- Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs)
- General Grants
Community-based violence intervention programs apply an effective, localized approach to gun violence prevention, providing evidence and community-informed, comprehensive support to individuals who are at greatest risk of gunshot victimization. These programs are shown to reduce gunshot wounds and deaths in the neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence.
In an average year, 1,212 people die and 3,507 people are wounded by guns in Michigan. Black people in Michigan are 22 times more likely than white people to die by gun homicide. Gun violence costs Michigan $9.1 billion each year, of which $422.6 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Michigan is available here.
