Op-ed: Cuts to safety programs could cost lives

In recent months, the Department of Justice “cancelled hundreds of grants to community organizations and local governments,” which included funding for programs authorized under the bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Hundreds of organizations doing life-saving work that makes communities safer and more resilient are dealing with the devastating and reeling impact of these cuts, including ours. But the cost to communities won’t be counted in jobs lost. Sadly, the costs will be counted in the number of lives lost when grassroots community violence intervention (CVI) programs disappear, leaving a void in communities like South Central while simultaneously leaving our law enforcement partners without a critical tool to reduce violence.

Continue reading the full op-ed at afro.com