Pathways to Peace Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The City of Rochester will utilize its Fiscal Year 2007 Byrne Discretionary Category 1: Targeting Violent Crime Initiative (TVCI) funding to expand the City's Pathways to Peace program. The program is designed to reduce violence among inner city youth by finding alternatives to violent behavior through outreach efforts, home visits, and the utilization of multiple community resources. This combined effort serves to stem the growing number of gangs and gang members on city streets. Through the award, the City will hire Youth Intervention Specialists assigned to community outreach and data collection that will be shared with partnering agencies in the identification of gang activity. Office supplies for the administration of the program will also be purchased.

CA/NCF