SCRANTON, Pa. — Gun violence is the topic of discussion around this table at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Scranton.
Lt. Governor Austin Davis led the conversation on Wednesday and stressed that this issue affects every community across the Keystone State.
"This is not just a Pittsburgh problem, it's not just a Philadelphia problem, and it's not just a Scranton problem. It's a Pennsylvania problem, and it's uniquely an American problem, but it's something we can and must do something about," said Lt. Governor Austin Davis.
During his visit, Lt. Governor Davis played dodgeball with kids at the boys and girls club.
Touting the $11.5 million from the Boost Act that will go to after-school programs like the Boys and Girls Club to help keep young people engaged.
"And not just a safe place, but one where they can have some positive activities that teach them about violence prevention, drug, and alcohol prevention, so we do our best to impair all of these skills into kids who come to the club," said Tricia Thomas, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern PA.
Part of the budget will support victims of domestic violence. $5 million will go to the crime victims' compensation fund.
Officials with the women's resource center say out of 104 domestic violence homicides in the state last year, 67% of them involved a gun.
"In our field, we say now what used to be a black eye is now a gunshot wound, and to me, it is about accountability," said Peg Ruddy, executive director of the Women's Resource Center.
Legislators, Scranton Police, the Lackawanna County District Attorney, and commissioners participated in the discussion and stressed the need for everyone to work together to make communities safer.
"We must address the root causes of violence like lack of opportunity education access, mental health challenges, and we must continue to support victims and survivors to help them heal their trauma and repair our communities," explained Davis.