For Immediate Release:
March 14, 2022
Jackson Selected to Participate in Initiative to Advance Community Safety
(Jackson, Miss.) – Today, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and City Council members attended the launch of a two-year community safety initiative created in response to upticks in violence in Jackson and other cities and the need for a coordinated local response. City officials attended the National League of City’s Municipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative which will result in $1 million in investments through pass through grant funding, and include evaluation and coaching from local and national partners.
The launch was expected to provide an opportunity for City officials from Jackson, Baltimore, Dallas, Philadelphia and St. Louis to learn from one another as they create, update and implement aspects of their local safety plan.
“This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues and experts to learn what works in the short-term and long-term to make Jackson a safer place for all,” said Mayor Lumumba. “I am proud to have been selected for this initiative.”
Officials with the NLC said the investment in local action was spurred to reduce and prevent violence while advancing new visions for safety in communities.
“NLC is excited to announce a new two-year partnership, the Muncipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative that will help five cities address violence through comprehensive and collaborative approaches. (Cities) will receive significant funding and support through this program to organize, focus and expand the safety and violence reduction strategies of municipal agencies and their community partners,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive director of NLC.
The initiative builds on the NLC’s recent Reimagining Public Safety Task Force report, A Path Toward Safe and Equitable Cities. It advances the work in cities to expand the use of civilian-led and community based well-being and prevention-focused strategies with an emphasis on engaging those most impacted and centering racial equity.
The program is made possible thanks to a $6M grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation.