Trump Administration Cuts Impact Local Violence Prevention Efforts in Oregon
Oregon organizations devoted to reducing community violence have faced significant setbacks following the Trump administration’s recent budget cuts, which eliminated key U.S. Department of Justice grants. Among the affected is the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC), a longstanding nonprofit focused on public safety. POIC’s $2 million federal grant, aimed at creating career pathways in violence prevention, was cut just months after its launch. The initiative, designed to train individuals affected by gun violence through partnerships with Portland State University, was particularly promising as it sought to transform low-paying positions into stable careers in the community.
The first cohort of 22 staff members had already begun training, with plans to certify at least 40 individuals. Other local organizations hit by funding cuts include the National Crime Victim Law Institute, which lost a $500,000 grant meant for supporting crime victims with disabilities, and the Multnomah County health department. Groups like the Eugene-Springfield branch of the NAACP and Justice and Joy National Collaborative from Portland also felt the sting of this significant loss.
Jess Marks, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Safe Oregon, expressed deep concern over the cuts, stating, "Overnight, we’ve lost essential programming that disrupts cycles of violence." The U.S. Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, claimed the funding changes reflect a shift in priorities toward directly supporting law enforcement, combating violent crime, and aiding victims of trafficking and sexual assault.
The cessation of these grants threatens vital community-based strategies for addressing and healing from violence, leaving many organizations grappling with the impact of these cuts.
— Zaeem Shaikh, covering criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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