The Fredericksburg Police Department has received an $81,000 grant to aid the FXBG Teen Steering Committee in developing a strategic five-year plan to combat teenage violence. The grant is part of a larger funding effort totaling $475,000 over the next two years that will support staffing, strategic planning, and the acquisition of technologies to work to prevent violence in the community.
Fredericksburg Police Department Chief Brian Layton, responding to a rise in gang activity within our schools and community, initiated a regional gang task force last year. This task force includes partnerships with the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, and the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Each agency has a dedicated detective who meets monthly to discuss issues surrounding gang-related issues in the Fredericksburg region. This helps facilitate information sharing between the agencies because these issues cross jurisdictional boundaries.
The grant award will be presented to the City Council on Aug. 27 for their approval. Following the Council’s approval, the city and school division will issue a request for proposal to hire a consultant who will lead the strategic planning process and facilitate the committee’s efforts. The goal is to reconvene the Steering Committee in October with clear objectives and plans moving forward.
