GVI Collaboration will lead to more resources
The York City Police Department started using the Group Violence Initiative (GVI) several years ago. Some aspects of this Initiative took time to implement, such as training and collaboration needed amongst agencies for the program to reach its full effectiveness. Under Chief Bankert these obstacles are slowly being overcame.
Over the past two years a collaboration between not only County, State, and Federal Agencies has been obtained on never before seen levels. This has allowed the process to run as smoothly as possible. On top of that acceptance and cooperation from the community is at an all time high and continues to build.
On October 21, 2019 a Press Conference was held at York College to explain some of the next plans in this initiative. These plans include even greater support from the Federal Government and the York County District Attorney’s office as well as our other partners.
The York County District Attorney's Office applied for and received a grant that will allow for a full-time prosecutor to focus on cases of Violence in York City. Also, York College will be evaluating our program to ensure that the program is running as smoothly as possible. As U.S. Attorney Freed asked, “Is what we are doing effective? This is the questions that this partnership with York College will provide us.”
The goal of GVI is to keep individuals “Safe, Alive, and out of Prison.” Its important for the community to know that while this program was set up through the York City Police Department Community Support and Outreach is an essential part of the program.
As York County District Attorney Dave Sunday stated, “Am I confident that this partnership and the work that we are doing will set a foundation for a safer York County? Absolutely. 100%.”
For more information a video of the conference is below.
