CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is expected to get a federal grant that will provide critical resources to fighting gang violence.
So far, CMPD has applied for and received $2,640,427 in outside grants to help with crime fighting.
On Monday, Charlotte City Council is being asked to approve a grant application from the U.S. Department of Justice worth $612,922 that will allow the department to target gang violence with more money for detective overtime and training, along with new crime-fighting equipment and software.
Grant funding is helpful, but it is also temporary, and city leaders have tough decisions ahead to give police more solid funding support while working with limited revenues.
"Whatever we do in this community to provide economic opportunity is going to be wasted, frankly, if Charlotte is perceived as a dangerous place to live," said Councilwoman Julie Eiselt.
Police Chief Kerr Putney has called for more money for officers on the streets and resources for investigations. City council starts budget discussions next month to go over how much the request will cost and figure out how to pay for it.
Part of the latest grant will also be allocated to the program, Gang Alternative Principles. It tries to reach youth before gangs do with anger management and life skills classes.
The grant funding will allow GAP to expand outreach efforts outside the fall and spring to offer courses in the summer months. It will also mentor girls for the first time, who are becoming more involved in gangs, according to police.
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