City receives $493K for school violence, dropout prevention

PAWTUCKET, R.I.—The city of Pawtucket received $493,000 in federal funding on Tuesday with the goal of preventing violence and dropouts at city schools.

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) presented the money to the city at a presentation at the Pawtucket Police Department.

The city plans to use the money to fund a number of programs including an anti-gang initiative that will have police officers in the city’s three junior high schools.

The money will also be used for a partnership between the city and the Boys and Girls Club to provide after school activities aimed at lowering the dropout rate.

“One of the real areas of rising crime unfortunately is in the area of our kids where they don’t have anything else to do after school and often get in trouble,“ Kennedy said. “One of the best ways to prevent that is to give them those activities that can keep them off the streets and can keep them busy.“

The city also plans to use the money to spend on a teacher and an adviser who will work with students to keep them in school.