Latest news with #violencereduction
Washington Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to stop DOJ grant cancellations
WASHINGTON — A federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to rescind nearly $800 million dollars in grants for programs supporting violence reduction and crime victims . U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington on Monday denied a preliminary injunction sought by five organizations on behalf of all recipients of the more than 360 grant awards, and granted a motion by the federal government to dismiss the case. Mehta called the Department of Justice's actions 'shameful,' but said the court lacked jurisdiction and the organizations had failed to state a constitutional violation or protection.
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to stop DOJ grant cancellations
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to rescind nearly $800 million dollars in grants for programs supporting violence reduction and crime victims. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington on Monday denied a preliminary injunction sought by five organizations on behalf of all recipients of the more than 360 grant awards, and granted a motion by the federal government to dismiss the case. Mehta called the Department of Justice's actions 'shameful,' but said the court lacked jurisdiction and the organizations had failed to state a constitutional violation or protection. 'Defendants' rescinding of these awards is shameful. It is likely to harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence,' Mehta wrote in his ruling. 'But displeasure and sympathy are not enough in a court of law.' The Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs cancelled the grants worth more than $800 million in April, saying it had changed its priorities to, among other things, more directly support certain law enforcement operations, combat violent crime and support American victims of trafficking and sexual assault. A message left seeking comment from Democracy Forward officials was not immediately returned. A Department of Justice spokesperson declined to comment on the ruling. The lawsuit filed by the Democracy Forward Foundation and the Perry Law firm argued that the grant terminations did not allow due process to the organizations and lacked sufficient clarity. The lawyers also said the move violated the constitutional separation of powers clause that gives Congress appropriation powers. Many of the organizations that lost the federal money said the unexpected cancellations mid-stream had meant layoffs, program closures and loss of community partnerships. The five organizations named as plaintiffs sought class status to represent all affected grant recipients. Attorneys General from at least 18 states and the District of Columbia had filed amicus briefs in support of the action, as well as local governments and prosecuting attorneys- several of whom had lost grants for victims programs, alternatives to prosecution programs or others. The Justice Department asked Mehta to dismiss the suit, arguing in a court filing that there was 'no legal basis for the Court to order DOJ to restore lawfully terminated grants and keep paying for programs that the Executive Branch views as inconsistent with the interests of the United States.' Noting that it intended to redirect the grant funds, it called the suit a 'run-of-the mill contract dispute' and said it belonged in a different court.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Greensboro unveils five-year community safety plan to reduce violence
Greensboro, N.C. (WGHP) — The City of Greensboro is rolling out a five-year community safety plan aimed at reducing violence and getting more groups involved in the work. City leaders said they're taking more steps to address violent crime not just with law enforcement but through community partnerships. 'One of the pillars of the safety plan is co-production … What that means is that we will continue to work together,' Greensboro Community Safety Department Director Latisha McNeil said. Greensboro's five-year community safety plan was launched at the city's Peace on Purpose event. It comes as the city faces harsh statistics. There were 274 homicides between 2020 and 2024.2023 alone was the deadliest year yet, with 74 homicides, and there were more than 5,800 gun-related aggravated assaults between 2020 and 2024. 'In looking at the stats from 2023, 2024. We recognized that we needed to have a holistic approach. It needs to go beyond just looking at law enforcement for public safety. We needed to have a community-driven response,' McNeil said. McNeil said immediate action is already underway. It includes expanding support for violence interruption, which is something Greensboro saw 119 times in 2024 and 48 times so far this year. 'That has been a key to really getting in communities that have high levels of crime and violence and interrupting those cycles with meeting those individuals who are at the highest risk, so what we'll be doing is enhancing those services,' McNeil said. Right now, the city contracts with four groups for that work, but McNeil said they need more. The plan also aims to connect older teens and young adults. 'Youth voice is going to be key, so we are bringing in young people between that 17 to 24 year age group, and they are going to be the directors of that engagement,' McNeil said. 'They'll be letting us know how we can best reach … young people.' Transparency and accountability are also a big part of the five-year plan, which McNeil calls a 'living document.' The plan includes public meetings and progress check-ins. 'A year out, what success looks like for me is that we are coming back to the table as a group, and we are adjusting the plan,' said McNeil. At the end of this month, the Greensboro Community Safety Department said it will start rolling out events where residents can speak up, learn more about violence prevention efforts and see how they can be part of the solution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Swinney to host youth violence summit after knife murders
First Minister John Swinney will host a summit to in a bid to prevent knife crime less than a month after a teenager was murdered on a beach. The Scottish government also pledged funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will rise by 7% to more than £1.2m. Kayden Moy, 16, died in hospital following the attack in Irvine, which came two months after Amen Teklay, 15, was fatally stabbed in Glasgow. Police Scotland have made arrests in connection with both investigations. On the same weekend Kayden was attacked there was also a stabbing at Portobello beach in Edinburgh, resulting in a 16-year-old being charged with attempted murder. Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said the incidents demonstrated the "tragic consequences" of carrying knives. The summit also comes ahead of a march against knife crime later this month. It has been organised by the family of Kory McCrimmon, who was 16 when he was fatally stabbed in May last year in a park in the city's east end. Last month a 14-year-old boy was locked up for five years for killing the teenager in fight over £50. Despite the high-profile recent murders Police Scotland said that the total number of serious assaults by 11 to 18-year-olds fell 27% between 2019/20 and 2024/25 from 428 to 313. An additional £82,000 funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit was announced this week. Medics Against Violence also received an additional £345,000 while a further £156,000 has been awarded to the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme. The summit, on Thursday, will include the justice and education secretaries, ministers for children and for victims and community safety, cross-party MSPs, youth workers and community programmes. It follows discussions led by Swinney to hear young people and families' experiences and ideas on possible solutions. The event will focus on education and community engagement with young people and possible strategies to prevent them from turning to anti-social behaviour or carrying a weapon. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "Scotland remains a safe place to live. "But more needs to be done to change the attitudes and behaviours of some who are at risk of violence, or young people considering carrying a weapon. "There is no place for violence in Scotland and anyone who commits a crime will face the consequences." Ms Constance said it was vital to tackle the root causes of violence. She added: "We all must work together to help young people feel safe and realise that carrying a knife is never the answer." Three teenage boys - aged 14, 15, and 16 - have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Amen, an Eritrean refugee, in Glasgow on 5 March. Kayden Moy, of East Kilbride, was critically injured on Irvine Beach, North Ayrshire, on 17 May and died in hospital. In recent weeks, three teenage boys - two aged 17 and a 14-year-old - have appeared in court charged with his murder. Police chief appeals to young people not to carry knives Boy, 14, is third charged over Kayden Moy death Second teenager charged over Amen Teklay knife murder
BBC News
08-06-2025
- BBC News
John Swinney to host youth violence summit after knife murders
First Minister John Swinney will host a summit to in a bid to prevent knife crime less than a month after a teenager was murdered on a Scottish government also pledged funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will rise by 7% to more than £ Moy, 16, died in hospital following the attack in Irvine, which came two months after Amen Teklay, 15, was fatally stabbed in Scotland have made arrests in connection with both investigations. On the same weekend Kayden was attacked there was also a stabbing at Portobello beach in Edinburgh, resulting in a 16-year-old being charged with attempted Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said the incidents demonstrated the "tragic consequences" of carrying summit also comes ahead of a march against knife crime later this has been organised by the family of Kory McCrimmon, who was 16 when he was fatally stabbed in May last year in a park in the city's east month a 14-year-old boy was locked up for five years for killing the teenager in fight over £50. Despite the high-profile recent murders Police Scotland said that the total number of serious assaults by 11 to 18-year-olds fell 27% between 2019/20 and 2024/25 from 428 to additional £82,000 funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit was announced this Against Violence also received an additional £345,000 while a further £156,000 has been awarded to the Mentors in Violence Prevention summit, on Thursday, will include the justice and education secretaries, ministers for children and for victims and community safety, cross-party MSPs, youth workers and community follows discussions led by Swinney to hear young people and families' experiences and ideas on possible event will focus on education and community engagement with young people and possible strategies to prevent them from turning to anti-social behaviour or carrying a weapon. 'No place for violence' Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "Scotland remains a safe place to live."But more needs to be done to change the attitudes and behaviours of some who are at risk of violence, or young people considering carrying a weapon."There is no place for violence in Scotland and anyone who commits a crime will face the consequences."Ms Constance said it was vital to tackle the root causes of added: "We all must work together to help young people feel safe and realise that carrying a knife is never the answer."Three teenage boys - aged 14, 15, and 16 - have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Amen, an Eritrean refugee, in Glasgow on 5 Moy, of East Kilbride, was critically injured on Irvine Beach, North Ayrshire, on 17 May and died in recent weeks, three teenage boys - two aged 17 and a 14-year-old - have appeared in court charged with his murder.
