The gang unit provides gang awareness presentations to citizen groups, school organizations, governmental bodies and other police departments. In addition to the gang unit, the police department has several proactive gang interdiction programs. To request a presentation please GangOutReach@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The police department also actively confronts criminal street gang activity with several education and public service programs including
- Public education and awareness programs and presentations;
- Gang activity awareness training to school resource officers (SROs) and Fairfax County public school personnel each August, prior to the start of school;
- SROs at all middle and high schools who are involved in numerous activities to prevent youth gang involvement;
- School Resource Officers and seventh and eight grade public school teachers, team teaching selected lessons in the Family Life Education “Healthy Choices” curriculum.
- Youth mentoring programs in schools and in the community;
- Community organized graffiti removal programs;
- Gang coordinators at each district station share local information with the gang unit and provide presentations to the community;
- Active participation and leadership of police department personnel in forums, boards and commissions related to youth violence and gang crime.
In 2003, funding from the United States Congress, through Congressman Frank Wolf, enabled the creation of the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force. This unit bridges the efforts of our gang investigations unit with partners from the metro region including representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (US-ICE). The result is a coordinated law enforcement and public information effort to combat gang activity.
To report information regarding gang related crime to the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force call 1-866-NO-GANGS (1-866-664-2647). This is a recording only and you may remain anonymous.
Learn more about gangs in our frequently asked questions page.
For more information on resources available to Fairfax County residents please visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gangprevention.
