Governor Youngkin to establish task force to reduce violent crime in the Commonwealth

RICHMOND, Va.– Virginia Glenn Youngkin on Monday announced the creation of a task force of executive branch and office of the attorney general officials to better align strategies to reduce violent crime in cities and communities across the state.

Leaders from the task force will continue conducting community leadership meetings across the state. Youngkin attended a community leadership meeting in Petersburg on Monday, May 9.

“There is a clear recognition of a violent crime crisis in Virginia and my administration is committed to joining with community leaders, law enforcement, and Virginians around solutions with the violent crime task force. We will take a comprehensive look at how we can address the rise in violent crime by providing more law enforcement resources, creating alternative and after-school activities for children, and addressing the fear that results in witnesses failing to show up for a criminal hearing,” Youngkin said.

The task force is led by Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Bob Mosier, with additional leadership provided by the Chief Deputy Attorney General Chuck Slemp. Additional participants include leaders from the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, Virginia State Police, and others.

To date, state leaders have met with local leaders in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Norfolk, and Petersburg, with additional meetings planned in the coming weeks.

The task force will recommend executive, administrative, and legislative actions on an ongoing basis to the governor.

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