Oakland violence prevention programs defunded by Trump administration

The U. S. Department of Justice announced cuts of $811 million in grants, which will severely impact violence prevention and intervention programs in Oakland and Alameda County. Organizations like the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) risk losing approximately $3 million in funding over the next few years, according to Executive Director David Muhammad. NICJR’s grants focus on gun violence reduction and youth development programs.

BOSS, a nonprofit based in Berkeley, will lose a $641,050 grant designated for mental health services at its trauma recovery center. CEO Donald Frazier described the funding cuts as “policy violence” against the community. Grant recipients have a 30-day window to appeal the terminations. The Justice Department plans to redirect funding priorities towards law enforcement and combating violent crime. Critics argue that these cuts undermine programs that improve public safety without conflicting with the administration's goals.