Governor McAuliffe announced the award of more than $756,000 in grants to 36 law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia in support of the Governor’s “Policing in the 21st Century” Initiative. The grants are funded through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), a grant that supports assistance to state and local governments in strengthening and improving the operation of law enforcement functions in the states. The Newport News Police Department was awarded a $19,999 grant which will support training and community policing efforts.

The efforts include “one-on-one and small group mentoring for youths and their families; training for law enforcement officers in de-escalation and crisis communication strategies; equipment for a police department athletic program intended for at-risk youth; a community collaboration effort to reduce crime, involving law enforcement, the public schools, social services, the Commonwealth’s Attorney and nonprofit agencies; and a public school-based youth outreach program to promote positive relationships with law enforcement.

During August and September, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Brian Moran, and his team held four Law Enforcement and Community listening sessions around the Commonwealth. The sessions were attended by more than 300 people, including law enforcement and citizen groups. During the session, Secretary Moran heard ideas of how the grants could be used to strengthen relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve

Other cities in the area who also received a grant include: Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk.