YOUNGSTOWN - There was an interesting vote at Youngstown City Council on Wednesday - interesting - because a $35-thousand grant to target gun violence in the city was almost defeated.

"The people that are going to be stopped and targeted will mostly be black people for the least infractions," said Councilwoman Anita Davis.

The statement was made as council prepared to vote virtually on an ordinance that would accept a nearly $35-thousand state grant. The money is to be used to fund "Operation Steel Penguin" which doesn't require any upfront local matching dollars but helps fight gun violence in the city.

Some council members expressed concern on how, they believe, that operation works.

"This program is geared, really in my opinion, targeting male blacks that at one point have done nothing that they are aware of," said Councilman and former Police Chief Jimmy Hughes. "All of the other task forces are going after everybody we know that are aware of involvement in illegal crime, this one is geared - 'let me follow you until you do something wrong and then let me try to find something wrong.'"

Davis, also a former police officer, expressed concern as well.

"My concern, this grant, is where it's going to be applied. Where it's going to be targeted will not be on the west side of town and will not be up in the Brownlee Woods area. It's going to be on Market Street, it's going to be on Hillman Street, it's going to be up on the southside of Youngstown, it's going to be on the east side of Youngstown." said Davis.

Ultimately the ordinance passed to accept the grant money,  but narrowly in a vote of 4 to 3. Councilwoman Davis was the only African American council member voting in support -- warning law enforcement that how the money is used is being watched.

Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees spoke with 21 News after the meeting. He refutes the notion that this special detail targets race. Lees said this effort involves investigational work, identifying people, places and times firearm offenses might get committed. He said this money last year took 33 guns off the street and led to 29 arrests for gun crimes.