CeaseFirePA today delivered a letter to the Democratic Leadership in both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, co-signed by 9 State Senators and 49 Representatives.
The letter urges the General Assembly to increase funding to $90 million for community violence intervention (CVI) and prevention programs in this year’s PA budget process. The same call has previously been echoed by gun safety advocates, CVI groups, faith leaders, parents, and health professionals.
These evidence-led solutions delivered by credible messengers prevent shootings before they occur. Research shows that each dollar invested returns at least 5 times the value to the state in health care, criminal justice, community safety, and economic value.
A report released in March 2025 by CeaseFirePA Education Fund demonstrated a decrease in gun homicides due to historic investment in violence prevention programs.
Adam Garber, CeaseFirePA Education Fund’s CEO, commented:
“This bold statement from state legislators is a testament to the life-saving success of violence prevention programs across the Commonwealth. These CVI programs operate every day, in so many of our towns and cities. An army of unsung heroes prevents violence, trauma and fends off instability. The choice is clear: Pennsylvania leaders’ commitment to CVI has saved lives, and now is not the time to take our foot off the gas.
“If we do reduce CVI funding, street parties will ring to the sound of guns, not the crackle of barbecues, children will think twice before playing on their blocks, and there will be fewer graduations next year.
“With the Federal Government reducing CVI funding, it’s more important than ever that we continue to have strong advocates, policy, and funding streams at the state level. Gun violence affects every community, rural, urban or suburban, and it will take all of us to solve it.”
This investment would strengthen the VIP program administered through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and ensure that community organizations, local governments, and law enforcement partners have the resources needed to continue reducing violence and improving public safety.
