Macon-Bibb County Commission Allocates $500,000 to Macon Violence Prevention Initiative

The Macon-Bibb County Commission has approved a $500,000 allocation for the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) initiative. The funds will be administered by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG) for a third round of MVP grants. Mayor Lester Miller and the CFCG will announce the recipients of these grants on Wednesday, July 31.

Since its launch in 2021, the MVP initiative has provided funding to 40 non-profit organizations and programs dedicated to preventing violent crime within the community. These organizations have used the grants to engage directly with neighborhoods, families, and children. Additional details about the new grants will be disclosed next week.

From 2022 to 2023, there was a 43% reduction in homicides in Macon-Bibb County, decreasing from 70 to 40. The number of homicides involving children (18 years old and younger) dropped from 15 in 2022 to 5 in 2023, marking a 66.7% reduction.

“We need to remember each number is one life and there is so much more than a statistic. So, we will continue to make a strong effort in making sure we protect each life and guide them in the right direction,” said Mayor Miller. “That’s MVP.”