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Gangs

     “Attorney General Bob McDonnell has made it his mission to crack down on  gang activity across the state.” – NBC 29—WVIR, Sept. 11, 2007

Whether he’s working with law enforcement and prosecutors across Virginia to lock up gang members, educating students and parents on the dangers of gangs, pushing for better laws to fight drug dealers, or proactively targeting at-risk neighborhoods to give youth an alternative to criminal activity, the Attorney General is on the forefront of Virginia’s fight against gangs and youth violence.

As part of Attorney General McDonnell’s “Safer and Stronger Virginia” agenda for combating gangs, the General Assembly enacted the following legislation during its 2006 session:

• HB 901 and SB 344:  Make clear that judges have the ability to impose restrictions on gang members that are on probation with regard to association with other gang members. 

• HB 1013 and SB 345: Permit prosecutors to seek stiffer penalties for those who manufacture, reproduce, or use fake id’s in the execution of certain crimes.

• HB 775 and SB 473: Add to the list of crimes that make someone eligible for prosecution under Virginia’s gang participation laws, giving Virginia’s law enforcement more tools with which to crack down on street gangs. 

• HB 1347 and SB 553: Create harsh, new penalties for mid-level drug dealers, based on the kingpin statutes, imposing a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence and a fine of up to $1 million on mid-level drug dealers. The new law also imposes a mandatory minimum 5-year sentence on anyone convicted of manufacturing, selling, or distributing any controlled substance for a third or subsequent time. Finally, this law provides prosecutors with a tool that can be used to ensure that those who fuel the drug trade on our streets are dealt with in a serious manner. 

Click here for “‘Gang Culture’ is a Warning Signal” in The (Fredericksburg) Free Lance-Star

Legislation

• 2006 Gang Legislation Summary
• 2005 Gang Legislation Summary
• 2004 Gang Legislation Summary

Richmond Gang Reduction and Intervention Program (GRIP)

• Richmond is Getting a “GRIP” On Gangs brochure. To order copies, click here for order form.
• Parent's Quick Reference Card - Warning Signs That Your Child May Be Involved With A Gang - Español Version
  - prepared by the United States Department of Justice -- Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), FBI, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Calendar of Events

If you are a local government official, commonwealth’s attorney, police chief, sheriff, or community leader, and want a member of the Attorney General’s staff to provide gang awareness training or you want to hold a townhall meeting, please e-mail antiganginitiatives@oag.state.va.us.