A $1 million cooperative effort was announced Tuesday between local, state and federal partners to reduce gun and gang violence in the City of Norfolk.
On hand to announce the launch of the effort were Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Congressman Bobby Scott, and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim.
The effort will be supported by a $500,000 federal grant from the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program and $500,000 of asset forfeiture funds, meaning the funds to fight crime will come from criminals, not from taxpayers.
The effort to reduce gun and gang violence will be led by a community outreach coordinator who will build on the existing crime prevention and community engagement efforts of the Norfolk Police Department and Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Greg Underwood.
The coordinator will work with local government, social service providers, neighborhood leaders, members of the faith community, non-profit organizations, business leaders, educators, and health care providers to promote a deterrent message to at-risk youth and would-be criminals stressing the consequences of gang and gun violence.
At the same time, the partnership will promote educational and employment alternatives, intervention and prevention, and ex-offender reentry services.
