SALISBURY, Md.-Â Out of all of the cities in the country, three were selected for police reform and racial justice grants.
Salisbury was the winning applicant in the small city category. It will receive $75,000.
Its Mental Health Collaborative Partnership makes for community-oriented operations., which Jake Day says people in the city should get.
"Our citizens deserve a thoughtful and capable response that does bring the right skill sets when they are facing crisis," Day said. "Whether it's a fire, whether it's a crime, or whether it's a mental health crisis or medical emergency, we need to have the right skill sets."
Dallas, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico were the other two grant winners. Mayor Day says he has spoken with both mayors about their programs and how they have been successful in their respective cities.
Wicomico County NAACP President Amanda Hopkins says the money will help with multiple aspects of policing.
"It must be stated that most police officers are honorable and desire to be community-oriented," Hopkins said. "However, to change the culture and to minimize inequitable policing practices, this grant will provide options to address mental health, behavioral, and social demands that plague the community."
City Councilwoman Michele Gregory has worked with the police on its reform but thinks there is much more to be done.
"My hope is that this will show that we can use alternative methods and benefit everybody and that this will ultimately give us a safer community and this program will lead to creations more like it," Gregory said.
Making for cohesive and collaborative cities not just in Salisbury but across the country.
