SitemapAn $850,000 grant is being handed to Youngstown’s Sixth Ward to fight crime. However, some questions were raised about whether the police will be able to handle the extra workload the grant requires.
The money coming from the U.S. Department of Justice would be used to clean up ten square blocks and provide them with extra police patrols.
The grant’s main focus will be to reduce crime in targeted areas of the Sixth Ward, including Market Street and South Avenue. Police will also increase patrols around Taft Elementary and Cottage Grove.
“So much of it does have an impact in my area, in my ward,” Councilwoman Anita Davis said.
Of the $850,000, $250,000 will go to the Youngstown Police Department for covering patrols. Youngstown State will get $123,000 to collect the data for crime and prevention in the Sixth Ward.
“Generating the information so they know where to target,” Davis said.
An undefined amount of money will also be used to improve various homes and businesses in the city.
“Lighting, locks, perhaps security cameras, so folks can monitor,” Davis said.
The grant is not without its problems, though. Police Chief Robin Lees said staffing these extra patrols could be difficult. To read the full story from WKBN, click here.