Youngkin issues Executive Order to combat gang violence

(The Center Square) — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued his 41st executive order Thursday establishing a statewide gang and community violence prevention partnership and enforcement strategy to confront gang violence.

In addition to combating gang violence, the order will target drug and human trafficking and violence committed with firearms. The action also aims to provide support to communities and victims.

“We are committed to combating gang recruitment and ending the rise of gang violence across this great Commonwealth and today we are taking all our efforts to combat gangs and gang violence to a whole new level,” Youngkin said in a statement.

The order builds on other law enforcement and public safety initiatives the governor or Attorney General Jason Miyares started, including Operation Bold Blue Line, Operation Free Virginia and Operation Ceasefire.

Operation Bold Blue Line has targeted a reduction in homicides, shootings and violent crime by providing support to the commonwealth’s law enforcement with more training and resources and certain pay provisions.

Operation Free Virginia focuses on the fentanyl crisis, and Operation Ceasefire, led by Miyares’ office, has worked to address violent crime, particularly among “serious and repeat offenders” in 13 Virginia cities. Ceasefire has contributed to gang prevention as part of its efforts, but Youngkin sees a greater need for that kind of work across the state.

“The Commonwealth of Virginia law enforcement entities are currently combating over 650 identified criminal street gangs and criminal organizations,” according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“The executive order will establish a centralized repository for gang-related data, create a gang intelligence task force, bolster anti-gang awareness and youth prevention strategies, and deter criminal gang activity through criminal justice personnel training, enhanced prosecution and investigations.”