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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to invest strategically in proven, community-led violence prevention programs in order to protect lives, strengthen neighborhoods, and deliver measurable economic returns for taxpayers across the Commonwealth.
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WHEREAS, community violence intervention (CVI) programs supported through the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) initiative, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, have contributed to measurable reductions in shootings and homicides across Pennsylvania, including in Allegheny County; and
WHEREAS, trained outreach workers help de-escalate conflicts, connect individuals to critical services, and intervene before shootings occur, using trauma-informed and data-driven strategies rooted in the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that every dollar invested in community violence intervention returns at least five dollars in value to the Commonwealth through reduced health care costs, lower criminal justice expenditures, improved community safety, and strengthened economic productivity; and
WHEREAS, sustained and increased state investment is necessary to continue this significant progress and prevent reversals in public safety gains;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
First, that Allegheny County urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to include no less than $80 million for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program; and
Second, that the County supports separately funding Governor Shapiro’s request of $12.5 million for the Building Opportunity through Out of School Time (BOOST) program, for a total investment of $92.5 million in violence intervention and prevention resources; and
Lastly, that the County affirms that strategic investment in proven, community-led violence prevention programs protects lives, strengthens neighborhoods, and delivers measurable economic returns for taxpayers across the Commonwealth.
SECTION 3. Severability.
If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution, which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. Repealer.
Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Ordinance is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.