By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey marked the 20th anniversary of the Sen. Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative (Shannon CSI) by announcing grant awards of $8.4 million to support evidence-based efforts that prevent and reduce youth and gang violence in communities across Massachusetts.

With this year’s awards, the state has invested nearly $176.2 million through Shannon CSI, which supporters say serves as a national model for violence prevention. The program was created in memory of the late Sen. Charles Shannon who represented the 2nd Middlesex District at the time of his death on April 5, 2005.

“Our communities are stronger and safer as a result of these investments and the partnerships built through this program,” said Gov. Healey. “By carrying forward Sen. Shannon’s legacy, we are strengthening communities, expanding opportunity for young people and showing what is possible when Massachusetts leads with evidence and purpose.”

Supporters said that cities with Shannon CSI program sites experienced reductions in crimes committed by youth ages 10 to 24, including a 24 percent drop in aggravated assaults and a 52 percent decrease in robberies between 2020 and 2024.