State allocates $8.5M in Shannon grants to address gang violence

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security on Dec. 16 announced the allocation of approximately $8.5 million to 15 sites in fiscal 2026 grants through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative aimed at reducing gang and youth violence.

Funds were allocated to Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield, Taunton and Worcester.

Additionally, local action research partners associated with the Shannon grant sites received approximately $616,000 to enhance these efforts.

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative, established in 2006 and named for the late Sen. Charles Shannon, is a multi-pronged approach to help address a community’s gang and youth violence problem. The initiative targets five specific areas: social intervention, suppression, opportunity provision, organizational change, and community mobilization.

Shannon grants are open to multi-disciplinary groups working to address high levels of gang violence in their geographic area. Multiple municipalities may apply together as a regional collaborative group.