Salem officials step away from leading community violence reduction work

Salem city officials over a year ago unveiled plans to reduce rising deadly violence in the city.

They said it would take a joint effort by law enforcement and community organizations, all led by a coordinator in the Salem City Manager’s Office.

But after months of trying, the city failed to fill that temporary job and cut it from its budget, which has long faced a deficit.

Now, Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack says the…