Lynn gets $100,000 federal grant to battle gangs, guns

LYNN – Lynn police and community service organizations fighting the presence of gangs and guns in the city got a boost Thursday when Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett announced Lynn will receive a $100,000 federal grant to assist their efforts.Joining a street gang is a certain path to jail or an early death, said Blodgett, noting that Lynn, Lawrence and Haverhill will each rece-ive $100,000, the result of six $50,000 grants from the Office of U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan.”Where there are gangs there are firearms,” said Blodgett. “The rise in gun violence seen across this nation is something that must be addressed not only by law enforcement, but by organizations reaching out to help young people make the right choices in their lives.”The prosecutor explained that each community receives two $50,000 grants, one to focus on guns, and the other to concentrate on gangs. The money is split evenly between police and a community partner, he said.The funds will allow law enforcement to purchase equipment and increase police presence in areas where it is most needed. Police will work with the community partner to implement and enhance education and prevention programs.The community partners are Straight Ahead Ministries and the Essex County Community Organization in Lynn, the Haverhill Community Violence Coalition in that city, and the Lawrence/Methuen Community Coalition in Lawrence.”There are only two paths for gang members – one path leads to jail and the other path ends in death,” said Blodgett. “We will do everything we can to convince youth who are heading down a violent path to change their course and become productive members of society. It’s the most gratifying outcome for all of us.”Blodgett said Lynn Police Chief John Suslak, Lawrence Police Chief John Romero and Haverhill Police Chief Alan DeNaro are committed to ending violence in their cities, and putting behind bars those who engage in gang activities and brandish weapons.”These grants represent one more step toward making the streets of our cities and towns safer for all law abiding citizens,” he said.