Rabb announces $500,000 grant to restart Mt. Airy violence prevention initiative
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb April 15, 2026 | 4:12 PM
MT. AIRY, APRIL 15 – Today, state Rep. Chris Rabb announced that $500,000 in grant funding will be allocated to help restart Safe Steps Northwest, a violence prevention initiative in Mt. Airy, Germantown and East Germantown.
The funding comes from the fiscal year 2025-26 Violence Intervention and Prevention grant under the direction of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, in order to better address community violence throughout the Commonwealth. Approximately $60 million in state funding was given toward VIP grants.
Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation will receive the funding to restart Safe Steps Northwest, which aims to provide consistent litter cleanup on approximately 175 residential blocks with documented histories of shootings or proximity to recent gun-violence incidents. The project will work to maintain environmental care, increase community engagement and improve safety and neighborhood conditions.
“We know that safe streets begin with clean, cared-for spaces,” Rabb said. “Safe Steps Northwest represents a meaningful investment in restoring and uplifting neighborhoods that have too often shouldered the impact of street violence. I’m encouraged by the work the Mt. Airy CDC will lead in our communities, and this funding will help bring large-scale block cleaning back in a powerful and visible way. I’m grateful to the Commission for its generous support of our district and for recognizing the importance of this work.”
For more information on VIP grants and other violence prevention initiatives, visit the Commission on Crime and Delinquency website at pa.gov/agencies/pccd.