CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County will soon receive thousands of dollars in grants from the Department of Justice to help curb violent youth crime.
The funding and the mission behind it could not have come at a better time for Charlotte, where teen violence is on the rise.
Police tell Channel 9 that the teens have committed and are victims of violent crimes. The funding comes from the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, which seeks to understand the leading causes of teen violence. They also create programs in neighborhoods and schools to prevent it.
The potential solution has been praised by local leaders.
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“We are seeing an increase in juvenile suspects being armed and firing into occupied properties,” said CMPD Chief Jacqueline Halsey.
“Our kids need to be kids again,” Halsey said. “They need to be involved in sports, they need to be involved in youth activities.”
Mecklenburg County is reportedly scheduled to receive the funds, but it is not yet known when the deal will take place.
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