Governor Josh Stein participated in the inaugural meeting of the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force, an initiative aimed at reducing gang violence and promoting public safety in North Carolina. The task force, created by Executive Order 21 in August, brings together a diverse group of leaders to address the issue of gang activity and help young people avoid involvement in gangs.
“North Carolina has recently had several tragic reminders of the need to keep people safe and prevent violence,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I look forward to working with the Task Force members to identify and put into place real solutions to make North Carolina safer.”
Leslie Cooley Dismukes, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and co-chair of the task force, emphasized prevention efforts both inside and outside correctional facilities. “I am ready to hit the ground running as co-chair of the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force,” said Cooley Dismukes. “To move the needle on gang violence, we must stop it before it begins. Gang intervention is critical inside prison walls and for people on probation, parole, and community supervision. Our NCDAC team lives and works in every North Carolina community, and we are committed to making each one safer.”
Siarra Scott, Director of the North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention and fellow co-chair, highlighted the task force’s interdisciplinary nature. “We’ve put together a very well-rounded, interdisciplinary task force with leaders from many different backgrounds and areas of expertise,” Scott said. “I am looking forward to getting these great minds together to think critically about how, collectively, we can holistically and sustainably address gang violence in our state.”
The task force is charged with recommending effective strategies for violence prevention that protect families across North Carolina. Its membership includes representatives from law enforcement, education, legal fields, mental health services, substance use organizations, and individuals who have left gangs.
Governor Stein also called on state lawmakers to pass a budget that supports law enforcement staffing by providing pay raises for officers and bonuses for new hires or transfers from other states. His budget proposal allocates funds for violence prevention programs aimed at breaking cycles of retaliation as well as co-responder initiatives that offer crisis support in communities.
The full list of task force members includes both government officials serving ex officio roles—such as Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr., State Superintendent Mo Green, Attorney General Jeff Jackson—and appointees representing counties across North Carolina.
