WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKZO AM/FM) — U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) on Tuesday, February 21 announced $7,945,884 in federal funding for the state of Michigan to help combat gun violence and enhance behavioral health and crisis care programs. The funding, through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act the senators helped enact into law last year, will be made available through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program.
“Gun violence has shattered families and communities in Michigan, including the recent shooting at Michigan State University,” said Peters. “While there’s so much more work to be done to address the gun violence epidemic and help Michiganders heal from these tragedies, this federal funding will allow the Michigan State Police to support gun violence prevention and crisis intervention efforts.”
“This funding couldn’t be more timely. While we have a lot of work ahead of us to address gun violence in Michigan and across our country, this investment will provide critical resources to address the epidemic of violence that has become all too real for so many families this past week,” said Stabenow.
“Every Michigander deserves to feel safe while going to the grocery store, dropping their kids off to school, or taking a walk around the block,” said Whitmer. “As a former prosecutor, I am proud that we have worked across the aisle to invest over $1 billion in public safety, send local governments more resources than they have received in decades to hire and support law enforcement officers, and doubled secondary road patrols to keep people safe on the road. Thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters are delivering additional unprecedented federal resources that will help us keep Michiganders safe. Let’s work together to protect public safety and reduce crime and gun violence.”
The grants, which will be administered by the Michigan State Police, will be awarded to organizations to fund gun violence reduction education and outreach; threat assessment training through the judicial system and health care providers; and forensic investigative technology to help law enforcement solve crimes more quickly.
