Saxman Statement on Joining Comprehensive Gang Model Steering Committee

For Immediate Release
Friday, July 10

-Newly-formed steering committee to assist in community effort to address gang activity in community-

STAUNTON, VA: Delegate Chris Saxman (R-Staunton) issued the following statement regarding joining the newly-formed Comprehensive Gang Model Steering Committee.

This model has been implemented in several localities across the country and is targeted towards smaller communities. As a comprehensive approach to the problem of gangs, the model involves a multidisciplinary response, targeting prevention, intervention and suppression to successfully reduce gang-related crimes and threats.

Last night at a meeting in Staunton, Delegate Saxman joined other local elected officials along with law enforcement officers, school officials and other community leaders to learn more about the program and establish a new Steering committee, on which Delegate Saxman agreed to serve.

"I am honored to be asked to participate in the Comprehensive Gang Model Steering Committee, and I am looking forward to working with others in our community on this important effort. We have a serious problem in this area, and I am thrilled that people are coming together to solve this one.

"Locally we have seen too many cases of gang violence, drug offences and attacks on people and property," said Delegate Saxman. "Diane Kellogg and the Office on Youth have been instrumental in establishing this program to combat gangs and reaching out to the community for greater participation, and I applaud them for their work."

"With the implementation of the Comprehensive Gang model we will compile a picture of the problem which is specific to our community," added Ms. Kellogg. "We will have data which will justify taking action and guide us to the most successful actions to take. This will ensure the best allocation of our resources and a bottom line for measuring impact therefore creating long-lasting solutions. In the end we will have a safer community."

Delegate Saxman noted, "In the legislature, we have passed new laws to give communities and law enforcement additional tools to crack-down on gangs: adding to the list of crimes making individuals eligible for prosecution under Virginia's gang participation laws, ensuring judges have the ability to impose restrictions on gang members on probation regarding their associations with other gang members, creating stiffer penalties for drug dealers.

"But what is equally important is our communities working together to address the problems locally. This model has been shown to be an effective approach to addressing gang problems by involving the community and focusing on all aspects from prevention to suppression of gang activities.

"For the safety of our children and our community, it is critical that we take every step we can to prevent and supress the threats from gangs. While there are many challenges we face, I am looking forward to working with this broad coalition from our community to tackle these challenges together."

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