SALISBURY — The West End Salisbury Transformed Empowered Neighborhood Development (WEST END) Byrne Criminal Justice Initiative (BCJI) local grant awardees have been announced. Salisbury agencies participating in the “Summer Youth and Family Capacity Program” are local, non-profit organizations developing community-led initiatives and programs that are youth and family-focused. Recipients will receive grants of up to $20,000.

Nine West End residents and civic stakeholders served on the WEST END Grant Selection Committee that reviewed more than 40 grant applications. Twenty-three awardees were selected. Program goals for the initiatives are to promote neighborhood stability and crime prevention.

“We appreciate the many organizations that applied for the Byrne Criminal Justice Initiative local grant to help positively impact the West End neighborhood,” said Police Major Corey Brooks, BCJI coordinator. “There were several strong grant applications. Salisbury police and its partners are excited about the Summer Youth and Family Capacity Program through which these 23 agencies will work to uplift the community. We hope these organizations will continue to support the West End in strengthening community pride.”

The U.S. Department of Justice’s $800,000 BCJI Grant was awarded to the Salisbury Police Department, in partnership with Salisbury parks and recreation and planning and neighborhoods departments more than three years ago. In that time, coordinators have completed neighborhood research, conducted resident engagement sessions, and started the process of a formal West End neighborhood organization.

For more information on the BCJI Grant, go to salisburync.gov/bcji.