SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — The Springfield City Council was is delaying the approval of an $800,000 dollar-grant that would be intended to fighting the city’s crime problem. Springfield’s Mayor, Domenic Sarno is urging the city council to make the right decision.

“This was a highly competitive grant to continue to combat and attack youth violence, gang violence, and gun violence,” Sarno said on Thursday.

But the community has been in contact with the city council — and both are concerned with exactly where the money will be going.

“The city council actually kind of reached out to us,” said DeJuan Brown, a founder of A.W.A.K.E. — a non-profit that fights youth violence. “They were baffled because everyone in the city is familiar with A.W.A.K.E.

“When the funds were made available we thought that we would be given some kind of consideration,” said Brown. “And for whatever reason we weren’t and the explanations we were given weren’t valid.”

The city council has until Tuesday to make a final decision on the grant. Under the current proposal the Springfield Police Department, Baystate Medical Center, the Salvation Army and a few other non profits.

The state has warned the city that it will take the money away if it is not approved.