The Essex County District Attorney’s Office has received a $100,000 Safe Neighborhood Initiative Grant that will be used to tackle criminal activity related to gang violence, illegal guns, and drug use and distribution in Lynn. 

The grant money will be split between the Lynn Police Department and community programs, District Attorney Paul Tucker said.

The $50,000 allocated for the police department, Tucker said, will be used to fund a variety of expenses, including enforcement efforts, new equipment, and the hiring of personnel.

Tucker said Mayor Jared Nicholson’s office and the police department will make sure the needs of the neighborhood are met through this funding. 

“The combination of enforcement and community action will make a good impact,” Tucker said. “It sends a really positive message and it’s a good way of strengthening community ties.” 

The Commonwealth’s Project Safe Neighborhood Program, which is administered by the Office of Grants and Research, was introduced in the fiscal year 2024 budget and makes state funds available to district attorney’s offices and the State Police to address gun crimes, gang violence, and drug offenses. 

Tucker commended the partnerships and collaborations that are being made throughout the city to take a stand against violence. 

“The leadership of Lynn has been very good to work with. Mayor Nicholson has been a great partner,” he said. 

Afterschool programs, entrepreneurship workshops, and flag football clinics are examples of the kinds of community programs that will be implemented using the grant.

Reck Fitness, which is based in Beverly, will lead and hold flag football leagues to keep Lynn’s young people active and out of the streets, Tucker said.  

Tucker said the city will also work with Change the Play, an organization that works with young people to reduce juvenile recidivism, using this funding. Change the Play also focuses on preventing gang activity and has developed a curriculum specifically to engage students.

“They have a good way of bringing kids into healthy activities,” Tucker said. “It’s really meaningful programming. We’re going to keep kids busy with positive messages.”

During his second State of the City speech on Jan. 30, Nicholson spoke passionately about confronting violence in the city.

“Our most painful challenge is the toll of community violence. I extend my condolences to the families who have been devastated by the loss of a loved one as a result of recent violence. We are doing everything we can to put a stop to it,” Nicholson said.

Tucker emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in the city.

“By pulling everyone together in partnership, we can work together to have a safer Lynn. This is about working together so people feel safe in their neighborhoods,” Tucker said.