For Release: July 26, 2006
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: jtmartin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
McDonnell, Herring, Monroe Announce Gang Prosecution Strike Force
GRIP Program Will Assist Richmond Effort
RICHMOND – Attorney General Bob McDonnell joined with Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Herring and Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe today to announce the creation of a Gang Prosecution Strike Force in Richmond.
With assistance from the Office of the Attorney General and the Gang Reduction and Intervention Program (GRIP), three full-time Richmond prosecutors will work with local, state and federal partners to systematically dismantle gangs and aggressively prosecute individuals for gang crimes and related criminal activity.
Attorney General McDonnell remarked, "As we proactively work with communities to combat gangs, our GRIP program is a success story." McDonnell continued, "The GRIP Program works. According to the Richmond Police Department statistics, crime has dropped in the GRIP area. Now, with the addition of the targeted prosecution efforts of the RichmondCommonwealth's Attorney, it is our belief that this will greatly help law abiding citizens take back their city streets."
“We understand that many young people gravitate to gangs because of shortfalls in their lives such as abusive homes and the lack of basic necessities like nutrition and shelter,” Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Herring remarked. “Our governments and communities must use resources wisely to offer healthy and productive alternatives to gang membership.”
“We also have an equally important challenge,” Herring added, “and that is to identify and eliminate existing gang predators who exploit the needs of others. Gangs offer the promise of support and family. In reality, they deliver violence, hatred, intimidation and despair. Working together, we in law enforcement will confront and dismantle gangs wherever we find them.”
About GRIP
GRIP is funded through a $2.5 million grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the Department of Justice, administered by Attorney General McDonnell. The program began in 2004 and runs through 2007. GRIP is a collaborative effort between the City of Richmond, federal, state and local partners, aimed at combating gangs and providing children with healthy alternatives to gang involvement. The plan incorporates a broad spectrum of proven, research-based interventions designed to address the full range of personal, family and community factors that contribute to high levels of juvenile delinquency and gang activity. Four pilot sites were chosen for the program: Richmond; Milwaukee, WI; Los Angeles, CA; and North Miami Beach, FL.
Click here to learn more about GRIP
