RALEIGH, N.C. – Governor Josh Stein signed Executive Order 21 on Tuesday. It takes steps to improve public safety and prevent gang violence.
The Governor announced the continuation of the Office of Violence Protection and the establishment of the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force within the Governor’s Crime Commission.
The Governor reestablished the office’s Advisory Board, made up of health professionals, government leaders, law enforcement officers, and community-based organizations.
The office will highlight initiatives to strengthen firearm safety, expand cross-sector partnerships across the state, and provide training and education to empower local communities to move forward holistic, evidence-informed strategies to address and prevent violence.
The Governor also established the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force within the Governor’s Crime Commission, co-chaired by Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Dismukes and Director of the North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention Siarra Scott.
The task force membership will consist of law enforcement, education leaders, legal representatives, mental health and substance use organizations, and people who have successfully left gangs. The task force will focus on reducing the presence and impact of gang activity in North Carolina, including keeping young people out of gangs.
These announcements are part of Governor Stein’s initiatives to keep people safe. Governor Stein has also called for the General Assembly to pass a budget that includes raises for law enforcement and bonuses for new hires and out-of-state transfers to address staffing shortages in state and local law enforcement agencies.
