DAYTON — A big setback for Dayton’s plan to put a violence interruption program in place to reduce gun violence.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5, Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County said they are making the decision due to uncertain financial support from the federal government.
“The timing just isn’t there right now,” Jennifer Wentzel said.
Wentzel is the Health Commissioner for PHDMC. She said 23 percent of their budget is federal grants with uncertain futures.
“As the federal government reorganizes and eliminates some programs, that has a trickle-down effect on us as well,” she said.
Wentzel and PHDMC have community collaborations already with overdose reduction efforts and programs to lower infant mortality.
With budget concerns, it’s not the time for public health to take on another huge project.
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The gun violence reduction efforts became a major city focus about a year ago.
A drive-by shooting involving a pop-up party on Home Avenue left seven people hurt.
Two of the young people died.
Another mass shooting took place that night, injuring five other people.
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims led the drive to find a program to slow down youth gun violence.
He said recently that a focus would be on crime hotspots.
“We’re looking at areas of the North Main area and also some areas over in Westwood,” Mims previously told News Center 7.
The city chose the violence interruption program from Cure Violence Global.
“We’re committed to be at the table and work alongside them as they move forward,” Wentzel said.
News Center 7 reached out to the city and the mayor.
Mims did not have a comment at this time.
We will continue to follow this story.
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