Gang Reduction Center

The Gang Reduction Center is a division of the National Center for Prevention of Community Violence focused on providing research based community strategies for reducing gangs and gang related crime through Community Strategic Planning, Training on Reduction Strategies, and Technical Assistance in Gang Reduction.

2018 Gang Reduction Conference Highlights

Presented by the National Center for Prevention of Community Violence, in partnership with Christopher Newport University’s Center for Community Engagement and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, the 2018 Gang Reduction Conference was March 27.

The conference featured Kelly Wright (Fox News Anchor) and Barbara Hamm Lee (Host of Another View). It brought together an interdisciplinary collective of speakers, panelists, artists, and activists to educate, equip, and engage the community in its efforts to reduce gang violence.

Why was this conference needed? The Hampton Roads Community is suffering from a dysfunction that affects local businesses, schools, families, and individuals.

According to 2017 statistics there are over 24,000 street and prison gangs in the United States with over 1 Million identified gang members. Eighty-six percent of cities with a population of at least 100,000 have reported gang activism. In Hampton Roads alone there are 148 known gangs.

Gang members are getting younger, which indicates a sustainable impact on gangs in our communities for years to come. Forty percent of active U.S. gang members are under age 18 and ninety percent of incarcerated juvenile boys have gang affiliation.

Some of the topics covered during the conference included:

  • Why do individuals join gangs?
  • How does gang activity affect a community?
  • What strategies can we employ to reduce gang activity in our communities?

This conference addressed these questions and prepared attendees long-term strategic impacts in their communities so that all individuals can benefit from reduced violence, strong families, quality education, and a thriving economy.

Check back later for details on future conferences.