City Commission to vote tonight on plan to allocate $550,000 for violence prevention programs in Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – After a month of pleading from Kalamazoo’s Mayor to see action on gun violence prevention, a proposal is finally on the agenda tonight.

A City Commission subcommittee that has been working with Kalamazoo County to allocate up to $2-million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for programs that get at the root of gun violence has been unable agree on a plan.

Commissioners will be asked tonight to allocate $550,000 to the United Way to contract with agencies already doing violence prevention, so they can immediately expand their efforts.

The United Way can expedite the process, and ensure that federal rules for the use of COVID-19 relief dollars are followed.