BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The city of Bloomington is taking steps to reduce violent crime through a special grant program.
“We’re concerned about the gun trends in Indiana overall,” said Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson.
Thomson said her city has certainly seen its share of gun crime but she said the trends are alarming statewide.
“We’re seeing guns in the hands of younger and younger residents and that’s of concern,” Thomson said. “When we have youth that may not have fully developed their problem-solving skills who possess guns, it puts us all in a dangerous situation.”
That is why Thomson said she hopes the city’s “Violence Reduction Grants” can help get ahead of the issue. The city is awarding $150,000 in grant funding this year, which is $25,000 more than last year.
“The target of these is really to work uphill before violence ever happens,” Thomson said.
She said the city is especially targeting organizations that mentor youth. Groups like Middle Way House, which primarily helps victims of domestic violence, received support last year.
The organization said the money helped with one of its school programs focused on teaching children about building healthy relationships and preventing violence.
“Talking about what it’s like to have a healthy relationship, and that’s not just with a dating partner, but adults in your life,” described Middle Way House Executive Director Carrie Stillions. “How do we navigate these relationships in a healthy and safe way?”
Mayor Thomson said she hopes the funding will help strengthen grassroots organizations as they work to create a safer community for all.
“This is a program that can really encourage innovation in violence reduction,” she said.
The deadline to apply for those grants is Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. The city said it will announce grant winners no later than Sept. 15.
