Gang & Youth Violence Prevention & Intervention

Alexandria City Gang Prevention Community Task Force Continues Work Following March 25, 2006 Gang Awareness Summit

The Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force continues to work together to strategize in the development of gang prevention and intervention initiatives following the Gang Awareness Summit: Seeking Solutions for Alexandria; a community-wide kick-off gang prevention presentation.

According to national best-practices, community involvement in gang prevention efforts is not only desired; it is essential. The Gang Awareness Summit provided a wonderful starting point of involving the community in initiatives and many activities since have involved or have been suggested by members of our own Alexandria community. Below are some suggestions of how you might help us in Alexandria’s gang prevention efforts:

• Report graffiti, crime or suspicious activity to the Alexandria Police Department. Please call (703)-838-4444 (non-emergency number) or use the online incident report form. 
   
• Consider mentoring a young person. Mentoring is considered a best-practice to prevent gang involvement, crime, drug abuse, poor school performance and teen pregnancy. Visit the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership
   
• Consider using your talents, skills and expertise in other volunteer or value-adding opportunities. Contact the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau, or to give help go to Give Back Alexandria, or call Mike Mackey for information
   
• Do you have concerns for individual or groups of youth? Do you notice areas where youth congregate, seemingly with “nothing to do”? Sometimes youth do this because they are not aware of services or activities available to them. The new Intervention Prevention Education “street outreach” Program Description and Referral Form are available. Contact Mike Mackey. We have staff working evening and weekend hours to help to connect gang-involved or at-risk youth with services and help.
   
• Contact Mike Mackey, Gang Prevention & Intervention Coordinator, to arrange a community or small-group presentation
   
• Get to know your neighbors and consider joining Civic Associations or Neighborhood Watch groups
   
• Inform others (i.e. family, friends, colleagues, neighbors) that the information on this website is available and particularly of our need for mentors and other supports.

For more information, please contact Mike Mackey, City of Alexandria Gang Prevention and Intervention Coordinator, at 703-746-4496 or 703-746-4144 or mike.mackey@alexandriava.gov