Newport News City Council Discusses Community Violence Prevention Funding

City Council heard from neighbors who spend their days trying to keep other neighbors safe. Mentors, parents, nonprofit leaders, and young people spoke about street-level outreach, mentoring, and recovery programs that step in before situations spiral. Their request was specific: dedicate 2% of the City’s general fund to support this work consistently, not just when short-term money shows up.

 

Several speakers explained that federal community grant funding, including funds cut in April 2025, is running out just as demand continues to grow. When that happens, programs lose staff, relationships fade, and hard-earned progress starts slipping backward.

 

The meeting took a personal turn when Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany voiced his support for the outreach teams. He shared that he wished programs like these had existed when his younger brother was alive, saying simply, “He might still be here.” The room felt that.

 

This wasn’t about headlines or politics. It was about prevention, trust, and showing up before the worst happens.

 

Why this matters to your block: When help stays consistent, fewer problems turn into sirens outside your door.