The Newport News Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is taking a new approach to working with troubled youth who often find themselves headed down the wrong path, but not yet on the wrong side of the law. Through a partnership with Newport News Human Services’ Children in Need of Services and Teamwork Options and Pathways for Success programs, and the City’s Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Initiative’s Seeing Opportunities Within program, law enforcement is working collaboratively with other efforts to intervene in the lives of youth needing guidance and assistance navigating personal difficulties.
The Special Victims Unit approach to working with youth who frequently run away from home and are identified by police as being at risk, began with the implementation of a Runaway and Missing Persons detective dedicated to the full-time responsibility of working with the 450 plus cases of runaway juveniles reported in Newport News each year.
This unique combining of programs and departments reaches out to the juveniles and their families on the home front, by providing needed services for the youth and support for their families. This team approach is focused on identifying those in need, enhancing communication in the family, providing needed services, and reducing the risk and opportunity for law breaking.
If you know of a family or young person in need of services, please see the following links for assistance:
Children in Need of Services
Teamwork Options and Pathways for Success
Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Initiative