Bryan, gun violence prevention office met with National Network for Safe Communities representatives

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Office of Gun Violence Prevention Executive Director Antonio Emanuel met with representatives of the National Network for Safe Communities on March 22, 2022, to discuss strategies to address gun violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

According to Government House, the group reviewed gun violence incidents and statistical information presented by the Virgin Islands Police Department. Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and Assistant Commissioners Mario Brooks and Sidney Elskoe also attended.

Government House said the National Network for Safe Communities was working with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to help develop outreach programs aimed at reducing gun violence.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention also held the first meeting of the public-sector members of its advisory council on March 9, 2022. Government House said the council was created under Executive Order 511-2021 to help implement violence-reduction programs and strategies in the territory.

The advisory council included representatives from the Office of the Governor, the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Bureau of Corrections, the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, the Office of the Public Defender, the departments of Labor, Human Services, Health and Education, the Virgin Islands Housing Authority, the University of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands National Guard, federal law-enforcement partners, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations and local businesses.

Government House said the Office of Gun Violence Prevention was established in 2019 under Act No. 8423.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-office-of-gun-violence-prevention-director-meet-with-national-network-for-safer-communities-representatives/