$100,000 For Violence Prevention Program

Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County), Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese, and Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden are pleased to announce the City of Port Jervis has established a SNUG anti-violence program with $100,000 secured by Skoufis. SNUG—or guns spelled backward—is an evidence-based outreach program which treats the root causes of community violence and interrupts retaliation before it materializes. The SNUG program focuses on youth between the ages of 14-24 who are at high risk for involvement with gun violence, and is the state’s preeminent gun violence prevention program.

“It takes a village to prevent and respond to the threat of violence of any kind in our communities,” said Senator Skoufis. “SNUG is a public health approach to community violence that uses credible messengers and mediation, and I was proud to fight for this funding in the state budget this year. I am grateful for my partners in Port Jervis who have the best interest of their community in mind, and I look forward to continuing this work with them to create safer, healthier communities together.”

“The money received from the SNUG grant will assist the City of Port Jervis and our police department in a variety of ways,” said Mayor Cicalese. “This funding is important for our City in order to continue to provide the high level of service our taxpayers expect.”

“The City of Port Jervis Police Department is grateful to receive $100,000 in SNUG funding secured by Senator Skoufis,” said Chief Worden. “This will enhance our community-based partnerships with our schools and community members to proactively prevent and reduce crime through expanded community outreach, violence prevention and reduction programs. Increased high visibility community patrols are focused on deterring crimes of violence involving weapons and serious assaults in our neighborhoods and parks.”

Last week, Skoufis joined Cicalese, Worden, and a broad coalition of community partners in Port Jervis to discuss the many facets of public safety. This marks the first time Port Jervis will implement the SNUG program.