Philadelphia gets $1.5 million from U.S. to help curb youth violence

The city of Philadelphia is getting more than a million dollars for youth violence prevention.

The $1.5 million federal grant will go toward programs to reduce youth shootings and other violence.

Melodee Hanes of the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention says the effort will be holistic.

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“About 1,500 young people ages 14 to 25 will receive support services from outreach workers and violence interrupters,” she said. “This is a goal that includes reducing shootings and homicides in Philadelphia by 20 percent in the next three years.”

U.S. Attorney Zane Memeger says about half of the cases his office deals with involve violent crime or guns.

“We have become acutely aware of the fact that we cannot simply arrest our way out of the circle of violence that impacts Philadelphia on a daily basis,” he said.

There have been more than 250 homicides this year in Philadelphia, the highest rate since 2007.

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