Newport News Launches Community Safety Survey

By Press release submission

Apr 4, 2022

Gun violence is a national issue that cities and counties of all sizes have struggled with for decades. The City of Newport News is taking a community-based approach to understand the most pressing concerns around safety, the root causes of violence, and the effects of crime by releasing a Community Assessment Survey. The purpose of the survey is to hear from residents and develop policies that enable city administration to implement new community-based programs and services that address gun violence in Newport News.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis that affects communities across the nation,” said Newport News Mayor McKinley L. Price. “It is imperative that residents take the time to respond to the survey. The feedback we receive will be integral in our efforts to provide immediate interventions and long-term prevention strategies that address gun violence in our city.”

Newport News residents of all ages are asked to respond to the 36-question survey to share their thoughts on safety in the city, experiences with crime, perceptions of causal factors of crime, their input on police, and experiences with discrimination. Respondents will also be asked to share the everyday concerns and challenges they face, as well as the city resources they utilize and what they feel is lacking. The survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

“One life lost to gun violence is one too many,” said Mayor Price. “This effort will be a tremendous benefit to city leadership, as we propose public policy and implement strategies that address gun violence and save lives.”

The city will use the responses to create a strategy for addressing gun violence, including a grant program for qualified community-based organizations that present solutions to reduce gun violence. The goal is to invest in groups that demonstrate the capacity to create safe and stronger neighborhoods. Community organizations are invited to provide their contact information and a brief description of their efforts on the Community Safety Initiative webpage. When the grant application is available, the city will send an email to the address provided.

To facilitate the survey, the city contracted with the Center for Crime, Equity, and Justice Research and Policy at Christopher Newport University. Newport News received a $25,000 Youth and Gang Violence Community Assessment grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to conduct a comprehensive Gun Violence Community assessment. The purpose of the DCJS grant is to help communities develop successful gun violence intervention and prevention programs.

The survey can be found online. To ensure everyone has the opportunity for their voices to be heard, print copies of the survey are available at all Newport News Public Library branches and community centers (addresses are listed below). Community members without broadband access are encouraged to visit one of the sites to complete the survey.

For more information on the effort, visit the Newport News Community Safety Initiative webpage.

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Print Surveys are available at the following locations:

Newport News Public Library Branches

Grissom Library

366 DeShazor Drive

Newport News, VA 23608

Main Street Library

110 Main Street

Newport News, VA 23601

Pearl Bailey Library

2510 Wickham Avenue