Gangs consist of three or more individuals who use a common identifier and act to carry out criminal objectives. They primarily target young people who lack protective factors in their families and communities. In other words, gangs prey upon the vulnerable. 

To assist the work of the Senior Policy Work Group on Gangs, the Alexandria City Council formed a task force of community representatives to focus on gang problems and issues. The Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force (AGPCTF) held its initial meeting on May 18, 2005. In the spirit of the comprehensive gang model that guides our mission, Task Force members work together to provide information and resources for the suppression, intervention, and prevention of gang activity. The AGPCTF is committed to creating a gang free community through collaboration, community outreach, and advocacy. 

In concert with the strategic initiatives of the AGPCTF, the resources below are available to help those in need of gang prevention and intervention. Additionally, information and resources from neighboring jurisdictions can be found here.

To report graffiti, call the Alexandria Police Department's nonemergency number at 703.746.4444.

 Human Trafficking of Children-in-the United States: A Fact Sheet for Schools

 Human trafficking is a serious federal crime with penalties of up to imprisonment for life. Federal law defines "severe         forms of trafficking in persons” as: "(A) sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or               coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or (B) the recruitment,         harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or           coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery." 

• An unknown number of U.S. citizens and legal residents are trafficked within the country for sexual servitude and forced labor. Contrary to a common assumption, human trafficking is not just a problem in other countries. Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. territories. Victims of human trafficking can be children or adults, male or female, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals. In January 2015, the Department of Education released a new guide for educators on ways to identify and help prevent child trafficking in schools. Human Trafficking in America's Schools is a free guide for school staff that includes information about risk factors, recruitment, and how to identify trafficking; what to do if you suspect trafficking, including sample school protocols and policies; and other resources and potential partnership opportunities. The Department has also partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and President Lincoln's Cottage, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to sponsor a youth campaign focused on raising awareness about preventing human trafficking. 
• The Big Lie: Unmasking the Truth Behind Gangs  (in English)   (in Spanish)
  As a follow-up to the success of Virginia's first anti-gang video, The Wrong Family, the Office of the Attorney General identified a need to create a video for youth. The Big Lie was produced in collaboration with law enforcement and psychologists to expose the dark reality of gangs preying upon children through lies and manipulation. The video is a frank, unscripted documentary and presents an extraordinary opportunity for pre- and early teens to learn about the false promises gang members make to lure them into their ranks. The video features gang members, law enforcement, and children who speak directly to the audience about gang recruiting methods, specific ways kids can avoid joining a gang, and most importantly, lifestyle choices to help them stay away from gangs.   
• The Children, Youth and Family Services Hub includes information about childcare, childcare provider training, children's mental health services, drug and alcohol prevention and treatment, pregnancy prevention, youth development, college preparation, child abuse and neglect, foster care and more.
• Did You Know? 
  Important information about gang crimes, properties used in gang crimes, and other gang related matters.