Gun violence across our city, state, and nation is still a major problem and Lt. Governor Austin Davis is traveling the commonwealth to get a snapshot of prevention programs.

He came to Erie on Monday, where the key partners of Unified Erie offered an update on their efforts to make the community safer. They focus on prevention, enforcement, and re-entry into a productive life.

From the DA to the police chief, Unified Erie partners all explained why they want to offer young people on the cusp of trouble help instead of consequences.

The Lt. Governor says it's the kind of program the administration wants to keep funding.

“Unified Erie is an example of a phenomenal program here in the commonwealth that’s doing tremendous work. We’ve been proud to support this effort and we’re going to continue to support it. In the budget that the House and Senate passed, we allocated nearly $40 million dollars for programs for violence intervention programs, programs like Unified Erie," said Lt. Gov. Davis. "So, we need Senate Republicans to get back to Harrisburg to send it to the governor’s desk so he can sign it so we can begin to drive out these resources to support organizations like this.”

Erie County is expected to receive a portion of that money. The Erie County DA’s office in the past has been allocated a $2.6 million dollar violence intervention grant.