LYNN — The city has received more than $370,800 in state funding to support collaborative solutions to address and respond to youth violence.
This funding from the Sen. Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative (CSI) Grant program is being used to support the Lynn Police Department’s Shannon Team, which includes Family and Children’s Services, Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy (LYSOA), Catholic Charities, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Lynn Parks and Recreation.
The money is also being used to support the department’s Youth Services Unit, for gang prevention/suppression, to support additional investigations and hot-spot patrols, as well as the Winter Teen Drop-In Center at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute.
“The department has used the grant money in a similar fashion over the past few years,” Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said.
The Winter Teen Drop-In Center is held on Saturday nights — which began on Dec. 4. 2021 and will end on March 6 — at the Tech field house for Lynn teens ages 13 to 18 to listen to music, play games, and hear from guest speakers.
The money will pay for staff, pizza, water and sports equipment at the Teen Drop-In Center.
“Co-ed volleyball has become the newest upcoming sports activity at the Teen Drop-In Center, and basketball as well,” said DPW Associate Commissioner Lisa Nerich, who runs the Teen Drop-In Center.
The Baker-Polito Administration gave $11.2 million in CSI funding to 27 cities and 14 research partners, having awarded more than $62 million through this program since taking office.
“The Shannon grant program invests in community-based efforts to connect with at-risk youth and help put them on a pathway to future success,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “The long-term positive impacts of the programs funded by Shannon grants demonstrate the importance of a collaborative approach to addressing youth violence and improving the safety of our communities.”
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said they are proud to join municipalities and local partners to “bolster community efforts to prevent and respond to youth violence and gang activity.”
“Shannon grants support the collaborative spirit and vital teamwork that achieves safer communities, violence reduction, and sustained positive life decisions for at-risk youth,” said Polito.
Lynn and the other 14 CSI sites received a total of $10.4 million based on their commitment to coordinate prevention and intervention strategies, as well as a comprehensive plan for strong multidisciplinary collaboration.
North Shore Community College (NSCC) also received $36,270 to assist the police department by providing strategic, analytic, technical, and research support.
NSCC was one of 14 Local Action Research Partners (LARPs) that received some of the $730,000 in grant funding dedicated to assist CSI sites.
Over the past year, the Shannon CSI funded 141 partner organizations and created around 140 full-time positions to address youth gang violence within communities.
In 2021, Shannon CSI partners served more than 15,000 young people across the state.
The grant program is named after the late Sen. Charles E. Shannon of Winchester, a former Lexington police officer, who served from 1991 until he died in 2005 from leukemia.
