News Flash

April 10, 2023 -  Hampton will receive a $4.6 million federal Byrne Discretionary Grant to be used in the city’s violence-prevention efforts. U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, who secured the funds, presented Mayor Donnie Tuck and the city with a mock check at a ceremony Monday evening at the Mary W. Jackson Neighborhood Center.

"This is an investment that will pay dividends," Scott said. "Hampton has a plan for reducing shootings, focusing on the the hot spots where the violence is is the most acute and identifying the families where someone has a high likelihood of shooting or being shot," and targeting assistance.

If you can do that, you have saved a lot of money, while helping young people get on the right track and stay on the right track.

Tuck explained: "This grant will further our efforts and allow us to go out into communities — five areas that have disproportionate rates of gun violence — and create neighborhood centers.”

Those satellite neighborhood offices will:

• Create programs to engage young people, teaching skills like conflict resolution and coping skills;
• Arrange counseling services to address unresolved trauma and work on replacements for aggression;
• Allow police officers to create more community partnerships and spend more time in the five areas; and
• Offer job training and employment

Saeveyon Hinson, an ambassador for the Hopeful Hampton youth violence prevention program, said programs "have helped me learn to regulate my emotions and that violence isn’t the first thing you should resort to."

The grant will fund three years, as the program ramps up and grows to serve more people each year. Almost $2 million will go toward staffing directly, with another for $700,000 for police and $360,000 for mental health services.