Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visited Delaware County Thursday to highlight proposed state investments to reduce gun violence, touting successes already seen locally, writes Max Bennett for Patch.

Davis was joined by Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, legislators, local elected officials, law enforcement officials, and community groups.

“Delaware County embodies the spirit of our proposed budget investments, by bringing together law enforcement agencies and community partners to help address gun violence in a comprehensive way,” said Davis.

In 2022, Delaware County had the sixth-highest rate of gun violence incidents in Pennsylvania.

Between 2022 and 2023, there was a 29 percent county-wide reduction in homicides, well above the statewide 17 percent decrease within the same timeframe.

In Chester city, investments to date have reduced gun violence homicides by 68 percent between 2020 and 2023, Stollsteimer said.

He touted support for organizations like the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods, and the Making A Change Group.

In the last three years, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has invested nearly $35 million in state and federal funds to support 160 projects across Delaware County.

Read more about the visit from Austin Davis and how investments are being used to fuel Delaware County’s success in curbing gun violence in Patch.