Jacksonville mayor commits $50,000 to anti-violence efforts

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says he will allocate $50,000 in executive branch funds for community-led anti-violence efforts.

His commitment comes after Jacksonville City Council member Reggie Gaffney called for $300,000 from the city for grassroots efforts to keep kids safe from violence in Jacksonville.

Curry's office said in addition to the $50,000, funds were also committed to the mayor by members of the private sector.

The funds will be managed by the City's grants office and awarded to youth- and faith-based organizations that serve citizens and communities in areas most impacted by violence and crime, according to the city.

The call for funds to address the violence comes after a 16-year-old student was arrested in the deadly triple shooting at Raines High School.

“We must continue our work with young people,” Curry said. “We must help them see there are possibilities that are larger than what they believe. We must break this cycle of violence and hopelessness. We must stop the violence.”

Cox Media Group