- Bethlehem officials will begin surveying five neighborhoods facing high rates of crime and poverty next week as part of a new violence prevention program
- The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded the city $726,000 in January to fund the new Better Blocks for Bethlehem program
- The money will be used to provide more health services, run a Safe Passages to School program and support a gun buy-back initiative, according to the commission
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — City officials will begin canvassing five neighborhoods with the highest rates of crime and poverty next week as part of a $726,000 violence prevention program, local officials announced Friday.
The money is being used to launch Better Blocks for Bethlehem, a program intended to address violence by tackling health and environmental issues in the community. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded the city the grant back in January.
The Better Blocks program will be directed by the city's Health Bureau but will tie in personnel from the city's police department, fire department, public works and department of community and economic development along with local community organizations, according to a news release. Sherri Penchishen, the program's contact person, was not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon.
Health bureau employees will begin surveying residents of five selected neighborhoods starting next week to identify ways to improve safety and quality of life, according to the release. The release did not identify which five neighborhoods are being targeted through the program.
The funding will allow the city to provide a Safe Passages to School program, various health services and education programs, crime prevention, gun violence education and other neighborhood investments, according to the commission. The commission's release announcing the funding awards said the disbursement will also support a gun buy-back program.