Hate Crime Prevention Grant Awarded to City of Alexandria
For Immediate Release: December 10, 2022
Contact:
City of Alexandria Media Relations
Ebony Fleming, 703.402.1745
Agudas Achim of Northern Virginia - Alexandria
Barry Nove, Executive Director, 703.998.6460
On Friday, December 9, the City of Alexandria’s Police Department (APD), in partnership with the Agudas Achim Congregation of Northern Virginia, was successfully awarded a total of $147,600 in grant funding through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)’ Combating Hate Crime Grant.
“Every resident of our City deserves the right to worship safely. This Hate Crime Grant funding provides our Alexandria faith-based communities with vital resources, including first-aid training and supplies. The Alexandria Police Department and congregations in the City are establishing a wonderful partnership and network of safety for the entire city,” said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.
The grant funding will support first-aid training to the entire City of Alexandria interfaith community, which includes approximately 50 congregations. Each participating congregation will also receive first-aid kits and tourniquets. In addition, funding will support security enhancements at the Agudas Achim Congregation.
“I want to thank members of the Alexandria Police Department and the Agudas Achim Congregation for their vision and tireless work involved in obtaining this grant,” said Alexandria City Manager James Parajon. “This collaboration is a wonderful example of how our great institutions can stand together to protect members of our community.”
The Hate Crimes Grant Program
Earlier this year, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) announced the availability of $1,500,000 in state general funds for localities to combat hate crimes. These funds are part of Operation Bold Blue Line, an initiative that was presented by Governor Glenn Youngkin in October 2022 as a plan to support actions to reduce violent crime in Virginia. The goal of the Hate Crimes Grant Program is to minimize bias-motivated incidents by providing funding that supports institutions and/or nonprofit organizations that may be at risk based on race, religious conviction, color, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Hate Crimes in the United States
Thousands of hate crimes occur across the nation each year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In just the last two years, U.S. law enforcement agencies have reported more than 15,000 hate crimes.
In 1975, the Alexandria Office of Human Rights was established to combat discrimination, increase equal opportunity and protect human rights for persons who live, work, or visit in the City. To learn more, please visit: alexandriava.gov/HumanRights.
For inquiries from the news media only, contact the Office of Communications & Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.
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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4174