A new gun and gang violence prevention program targeting youth is making its way to the Bronx.
Lawmakers and activists announced $300,000 in grant money to operate the new program out of Jacobi Medical Center.
Operation SNUG, which is guns spelled backwards, will bring former gang members to schools and youth groups to spread a message of non-violence.
It also helps young people find job opportunities.
State Senator Jeff Klein said that headquartering the program at the medical center is a smart decision.
"We can track here at Jacobi Hospital, because it's one of the trauma centers in Bronx County, who is the victim of gun violence," Klein said. "In many times, a lot of these individuals want to retaliate. So that's when we know we can go back to that community with our facilitators, the former gang members, and prevent further gun violence before it even occurs."
The Bronx is the only place in the city, and one of only seven areas in the state, getting a share of the more than $2 million being distributed for the program.