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Council approves $150,000 public-safety grant for UTEC-Lawrence street-work and police partnership
Summary
The council approved a $150,000 grant from the state to fund a one-year violence-intervention partnership between UTEC and the Lawrence Police Department, splitting $75,000 for police gang-unit support and $75,000 for UTEC street workers and youth services.
The Lawrence City Council on March 4 approved accepting a $150,000 grant from the Massachusetts Secretary’s Office of Public Safety to fund violence-intervention services in Lawrence.
City documents and presenters said the grant will be split evenly: $75,000 to support the Lawrence Police Department’s gang unit and $75,000 to fund UTEC (sometimes spelled UTech in the meeting) street-work services and holistic supports for 17–25-year-olds affected by the justice system. UTEC representatives described the street-work model as a combination of direct service, mediation, workforce supports, educational services (HiSET), stipends for training and violence-prevention events.
UTEC Chief Program Officer Tamara Saraluz and Street Work Manager Angel “Ace” Vasquez said the program combines outreach, mediation and job-readiness for justice-involved young people; they said their Lawrence team operates a drop-in site on Marston Street and pays stipends to participants in vocational tracks. Ace Vasquez said three street workers cover the city and reported reductions in violence in specific neighborhoods where they’ve been active.
Council discussion noted national reductions in federal funding for violence intervention and asked staff to track potential future funding risks. Councilors and staff said this award is a one-year allocation; UTEC and police representatives said they seek sustained local and state support but acknowledged recent federal allocation changes.
Councilors approved the grant acceptance and authorization to expend funds by voice vote; the meeting record does not list a roll-call tally.
