Gun violence in Chester reduced significantly, and officials are crediting the Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods Program, according to 6 ABC News.  

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said that gun violence dropped by 68 percent since the launch of the program three years ago.  

The partnership aims to address the root causes of this societal issue. Through granting people access to employment opportunities, education, and adequate mental health services, the partnership is able to target the source of the violence. 

“We want to work hand in glove with the community to solve the problems they know we can do together, and we can only solve them together,” said Stollsteimer. 

At the event where the success of the program was addressed, officials also premiered improvements to the Concord Playground.  

Read more about the transformative journey of Chester’s safety initiative on 6 ABC News.  

Safe neighborhoods program credited with helping reduce homicides in Chester