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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said the state allocated more than $1.5 million in funding to reduce gun violence in eight municipalities.

The municipalities secured this funding through a competitive solicitation, a part of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency program.

In a statement, Wolf said the funding will “help municipalities address their specific needs to reduce gun violence.” Additionally, he said it is an “important step to protect Pennsylvanians and make our communities the safest they can be.”

The governor is hoping that the state will also be able to allocate funding to other communities and help them prevent gun violence.

“I am pleased the commonwealth was able to make funding available to help avert gun violence in these municipalities and hope that these efforts can be expanded to more communities,” Wolf said.

Municipalities Receiving Funding

The following cities will receive funding:

• City of McKeesport, Allegheny County — $150,000 through the McKeesport Gun Violence Reduction Program.
• City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County — $250,000 to expand its Operation Ceasefire program and improve the timeliness of investigative leads to law enforcement.
• Johnstown City, Cambria County — $150,000 to support the implementation of the Cure Violence program.
• Erie City, Erie County — $148,000 to work in partnership with Unified Erie and the City of Erie School District to implement evidence-based programs such as Operation Ceasefire.
• Allentown City, Lehigh County — $150,000 to implement Allentown Cure Violence in partnership with the Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley.
• Philadelphia City Treasurer, Philadelphia County — $500,000 to support the expansion of the Community Crisis Intervention Program in the most violent neighborhoods in the city.
• City of Monessen, Westmoreland County — $24,000 to support training, outreach and referral services through its partnership with California University of Pennsylvania to curb gun violence.
• York City, York County — $150,000 to support the implementation of evidence-based and promising practices. The city will also focus on developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to address the factors that contribute to violent crime.