2017 Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie today released a detailed, substantive plan to improve public safety in Virginia by eradicating gangs, reforming the system, and rewarding those who serve and protect. As governor, Gillespie will ban sanctuary cities, reinstate Project Exile, and increase law enforcement pay. This is Gillespie’s seventh major policy announcement in his campaign, and third since becoming his party’s nominee.
“Providing for public safety is an essential responsibility of government, and one that must be addressed with the utmost seriousness,” said Ed Gillespie. “As governor, I will coordinate efforts between our partners in federal, state and local law enforcement to put in place policies that will combat gangs in Virginia, reduce crime, and provide support for the brave men and women who selflessly serve their communities to make our Commonwealth safer for ALL Virginians.”
Speaking about the policy Honorary Policy Chair and former governor George Allen said, “Ed knows that public safety along with education is a top responsibility of state government. In the two decades since our Administration achieved the enactment of Truth-in-Sentencing reforms Virginians have benefited from one of the very lowest violent crime rates and the lowest repeat offender rates in the nation. There’s no rational reason to backslide into criminal apologist approaches which would endanger Virginians. I know Ed Gillespie will be a strong governor who will seriously crack down on current public safety challenges emanating from gang violence.”
“As a former Secretary of Public Safety and Attorney General of Virginia, I am proud to support Ed’s plan for Virginia,” said Former Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore. “He understands that if we do not take action to eradicate gang violence now, it will grow into more communities. We need immediate action and Ed will bring important leadership and experience to Virginia’s public safety agencies. Ed will be a strong governor who will put the public safety first.”
“In Virginia’s Senate, I am proud to have worked tirelessly supporting a safer Virginia, from fighting opioid abuse, to leading the charge to solve the compensation crisis and pay our deputies and troopers a fair wage for the difficult and dangerous work they do,” added Republican Nominee for Lieutenant Governor Senator Jill Vogel. “This bold plan will strengthen public safety and make Virginia a national leader in tackling the criminal gang activity which has become a serious problem in too many localities.”
Republican Nominee for Attorney General John Adams said, “We are seeing a dramatic rise in violent crime in cities around Virginia, and it’s time for serious action. Gang activity is a growing problem, and as attorney general, combating gang violence will be a top priority of mine. I will insure families are safe in their communities and our children are safe in their schools – that starts with keeping children out of gangs, and working to end gang activity in the Commonwealth. When I was a federal prosecutor, I worked on Project Exile, a federal, state, and local partnership that effectively reduced crime and gang violence in the city of Richmond. Ed is smart to look at bringing this back to Virginia, and I’m proud to lead anti-gang efforts in the Commonwealth as attorney general.”
“Ed Gillespie understands that we cannot have economic growth and prosperity without public safety. Virginians must feel safe in their communities,” said Speaker Bill Howell. “I fully support Ed’s plan and Virginians should be impressed with his ideas.”
“Ed Gillespie understands the serious responsibility a governor undertakes to protect and assure our public safety,” added Policy Leadership Team Co-Chair Speaker-designee Kirk Cox. “I know Ed will be a strong governor for the men and women in law enforcement and our partners across the Commonwealth. This plan makes that clear.”
Policy Leadership Team Co-Chair Senator Mark Obenshain said, “Virginia needs a governor, lieutenant. governor, and attorney general who will wake up every single day focused on our public safety. Ed, Jill and John have made clear that they will protect our communities and fight for our law enforcement. I am proud to endorse Ed’s plan to protect Virginians and eradicate gangs.”
“Ed’s plan for public safety and gang elimination is an important step forward for Virginia,” said Public Safety Working Group Co-Chair Majority Leader-designee Todd Gilbert. “Ed, Jill and John will work together to ensure Virginians are safe in their homes and their communities. I’m proud to have served as co-chair of Ed’s Public Safety Working Group and look forward to working with him to implement this agenda.”
“Ed Gillespie’s comprehensive plan to combat crime and support our law enforcement professionals is exactly what Virginia needs,” added Public Safety Working Group Co-Chair Senator Ryan McDougle. “His willingness to face the challenge of gang violence – and to ban sanctuary cities to combat illegal immigrant gang activity – demonstrates Ed’s willingness to offer real solutions forcefully and forthrightly.”
Former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia Chuck James said, “Ed Gillespie’s plan to attack gang violence in Virginia is thoughtful, detailed and appropriately ambitious. We need a leader who will take action to protect our families and communities, reward our law enforcement and make necessary reforms. I am proud to endorse Ed’s plan.”
Job One: Keeping Virginia Safe
A Plan to Eradicate Gangs, Reform the System, and Reward Those Who Serve and Protect
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Improve Law Enforcement Compensation
- Line of Duty Act
- Virginia State Police Trooper Recruitment
- “599 Funding” for Local Law Enforcement
- Direct the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to Review the Organization and Service Delivery Model of Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Cancer and Medical Registry for First Responders
- Reduce Statewide Fire-Related Deaths
- Host a First Responders Summit
HOMELAND SECURITY
- Immediately Convene the Secure Commonwealth Panel
- Focus the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
GANG PREVENTION AND ERADICATION
- Designate the Attorney General to Serve as the Commonwealth’s Anti-Gang Chief
- Reinstate Project Exile
- Secure funding for the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force
- Ban Sanctuary Cities in Virginia
- Reform the “predicate criminal act” definition to contain all felonies and violent misdemeanors
- Expand the “Youthful Offender Program” at the Virginia Department of Corrections
- Ensure the continuation of school resource officers (SROs) in schools
- Pursue funding of the Witness Protection Programs in violent gang activity
- Establish Gang Prevention Programming at Department of Education
- Develop Alternative Educational Opportunities for Known Gang Members
SAFE COMMUNITIES
- Recommit to Truth in Sentencing Reforms
- Ensure Crime Victims Receive Restitution for Medical and Other Bills
- Protect Funding for Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Services
- Convene the Virginia Summit on Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Services
- Counseling for Sexual Assault Survivors
- Fund the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Program
- Set Strategy to Functionally End Human Trafficking in Virginia
- Appoint a Statewide Prisoner Re-Entry Advisor
CYBERSECURITY
- Top to Bottom Review of VITA and State Agency Cybersecurity Preparedness
- Advance Cybersecurity Technology for the Public and Private Good
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
- As governor, Gillespie will lead a state government that fosters redemption and reconciliation for all Virginians. In the weeks ahead, Gillespie will announce a detailed criminal justice reform to benefit all Virginians.
ADDICTION AND RECOVERY
Earlier this month, Gillespie released his Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Agenda.
The full plan can be found HERE. Gillespie has released six other major policy proposals including:
- The “Cutting Taxes for ALL Virginians” Plan cuts individual income tax rates by ten percent across-the-board, putting nearly $1,300 more in the pocket of a family of four and creating more than 50,000 new full-time private sector jobs.
- The “FAITH In Our Government for ALL Virginians” Plan will close loopholes and give Virginians a better opportunity to hold elected leaders accountable for their actions.
- The “Efficiency + Effectiveness: A Government that Works for ALL Virginians” Plan will reorient government to more successfully address Virginia’s problems, demand evidence-based solutions, right-size our government to better steward taxpayer dollars, and incentivize our state government workforce to be more responsive to the needs of all Virginians.
- The “Removing Barriers to Job Creation for ALL Virginians” Plan will bring meaningful reform to remove barriers to job creation, making it easier for businesses to grow and thrive in the Commonwealth. It focuses on standing up for Virginia’s job creators, reforming Virginia’s regulatory climate, reforming occupational licensing and streamlining business formation.
- The Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery Agenda will improve Virginia’s behavioral health system and address all facets of the opioid and heroin addiction crisis, including prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.
- The Veterans and Military Affairs Agenda will improve career opportunities for veterans, give veterans a greater voice in our government, support our military and their families, and care for our veterans and their families.