Friend,

You did it. You urged Governor Shapiro to commit to funding community gun violence prevention and today he did. In his first-ever budget address, Governor Shapiro called for a full $105 million in funding for community violence intervention programs. Now, the General Assembly needs to follow his lead. Please call on your legislators to support a full investment in safer communities in the Pennsylvania 2023-2024 budget. 
 
Take action: [link removed]

Our movement is gaining momentum. It was our advocacy1 last year that secured a historic budget win when the PA General Assembly included $105 million in grant funding for community violence intervention programs. But the reality is we can’t interrupt cycles of violence in just one year. We need sustained investment in these efforts to see real change and truly make communities safe.

Community-led, evidence-based efforts include interrupting and de-escalating conflicts before they turn into shootings, supporting those in crisis, providing trauma-informed care, connecting those most at-risk to critical services, and more. As we’ve seen in the city of Chester, these initiatives work. Our partner, Chester Partnerships for Safer Neighborhoods, has worked with law enforcement to engage the community directly using a Focused Deterrence Program. This has led to a 43 percent reduction in fatal shootings in just a year. And other cities who have invested in these programs have seen similar reductions.2 Isn’t it time the entire Commonwealth does the same? Every Pennsylvanian deserves a life free from gun violence.

Ask your legislators to follow through on the Governor’s $105 million proposal to invest in safer communities across our state: [link removed]

As we’ve seen, your time can make ALL the difference. Take action today: [link removed]

Sincerely, 
Adam Garber
Executive Director
CeaseFirePA


1 [link removed]
2 [link removed]


CeaseFirePA
P.O. Box 60095
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States
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