By Elisabeth Strillacci

SALISBURY — This afternoon, Wednesday, the community is invited to celebrate the accomplishments of recipients of summer grants from the Salisbury Police Department via the Byrne Criminal Justice Initiative (BCJI) local grant.

This afternoon’s celebration is to honor the hard work and achievements accomplished through the Summer West End programs. The celebration will take place from 3-5 p.m. at Hall Gym, 1400 W. Bank St., Ste.B, Salisbury.

The Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Program is a strategic approach to crime reduction that leverages community knowledge and expertise by focusing on community-led efforts, working with law enforcement and other local partners to support prevention and intervention efforts on neighborhoods where crime is concentrated or crime “hotspots.” The BCJI Program is operated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Salisbury Police Department successfully applied for a grant from BCJI program as part of the West End Initiative. BCJI projects include:

• Leveraging community knowledge and expertise for crime reduction
• Local partners to support prevention and intervention

This afternoon, the police department and the Rowan County United Way, which actually administers the grants, along with anyone wishing to attend the celebration, will have an opportunity to honor the dedication and contributions of various organizations and individuals who participated in the Summer West End initiatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their success stories, highlight program outcomes, and connect with community members and potential funders.

“This celebration is about acknowledging the remarkable impact these organizations and community partners have made,” said Chief Patrick Smith. “We encourage everyone to come together, learn about the impressive work done over the summer, and explore ways to build upon these successes for our city’s future.”

Jenny Lee, executive director of Rowan County United Way, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in achieving meaningful results.

“This celebration highlights the strong collaboration among local organizations working to better our community,” said Lee. “It has been an honor for us at Rowan County United Way to administer the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Grant programs and witness firsthand the positive impact on West End residents. We look forward to continuing our support and advancing these crucial initiatives.”

This celebration marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to foster a safer, more vibrant Salisbury community.