Read original article from Fox45-Baltimore.
BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement received $13.4 million in additional grants to help combat crime in Baltimore's neighborhoods.
CEO of openthebooks.com, Adam Andrzejewski, joined Fox45 Morning News to discuss the new grants given to MONSE.
The American Rescue Act Plan, directed by the mayor's office, has given "about $30 million" to fund MONSE, according to Andrzejewski.
"The real question is whether this program is working. It is modeled on a program that comes out of Chicago called Cure Violence. And the streets of Chicago are not safe," said Andrzejewski.
Catholic charities got "a little over $5 million" over three years to manage two Safe Streets locations and the youth advocate programs received $7.3 million for two years worth of life coaching, emergency relocation and stipend for people over 21, according to Andrzejewski.
"Their registrations aren't current," said Andrzejewski. "These organizations can't even comply with basic reporting requirements with the state of Maryland to operate as public charities," said Andrzejewski.
The mayor's office also announced a youth curfew Memorial Day weekend to help combat crime.
Andrzejewski says the mayor's office has put about half a million dollars into curfew enforcement this year.
"There's a lot of money flowing, but the impacts on crime have been suspect," said Andrzejewski.