September 18, 2008

Charlotte, NC -- Charlotte City Mayor Pat McCrory's office received notification today from Senator Elizabeth Dole's office that the Gang of One, gang prevention and intervention initiative of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, was awarded a grant in the amount of $1,162,653 from the Department of Justice.

"This funding will greatly enhance the efforts the City is making in combating gang activity and provide staff with the additional resources to prevent our youth from joining a gang as well as assist youth in getting out of a gang," says Mayor McCrory.

Established in 2004, Gang of One has evolved into a comprehensive gang reduction initiative in partnership with local agencies and citizens and local, state and federal law enforcement. With a mission of preventing youth from joining a gang, supporting youth being pressured to join a gang, and assisting youth in getting out of a gang, the initiative has reached nearly 15,000 youth through the Gang of One Hotline, Gang Resistance Training and other educational programs provided through the school system, community agencies and faith based organizations.

CMPD Police Chief Rodney Monroe states that the grant will increase staff, expand current programs, and support new prevention, intervention, suppression, and reentry initiatives. "Our goal is to decrease gang-related criminal activity and juvenile crime and provide a better alternative for our youth," he adds.

Mayor McCrory also expresses appreciation to key sponsors during the appropriations and the omnibus process including primary sponsors Senator Elizabeth Dole and Representative Robin Hayes along with the entire delegation including Representative Sue Myrick, Representative Mel Watt and Senator Richard Burr.