Delegate McDougle Addresses

Virginia Gang Investigators Association

7th Annual VGIA Conference Focuses on Gang Awareness and Training

Richmond, VA – Delegate Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) recently addressed over 400 law enforcement officers at the annual Virginia Gang Awareness Association in Norfolk. The conference focused on the importance of gang awareness, training, and prosecution in our Commonwealth.

The Virginia Gang Investigators Association is part of the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations which is a unique alliance of criminal justice professionals dedicated to the promotion and coordination of national anti-gang strategies. The NAGIA also advocates the standardization of anti-gang training, establishment of uniform gang definitions, assistance for communities with emerging gang problems, and input to policymakers and program administrators.

“In our Commonwealth, violent gangs are a growing problem and threat to our communities and families. In the last two sessions of the General Assembly, we have worked hard to give law enforcement, probation officers, and prosecutors the tools they need to identify and break up gangs. We are also working to foster an environment that discourages gangs in our communities. We have strengthened penalties and enhanced punishment for gang activities taking place at or near schools, colleges, and school buses. We also created a gang member database and are using gang membership in sentencing,” commented McDougle.

McDougle is a former prosecutor and a member of the Attorney General’s Anti-Gang Violence Task Force and has served in the Virginia House of Delegates for four years.

####