RALEIGH, NC — Governor Josh Stein today signed Executive Order 21, taking new steps to improve public safety and reduce gang violence in North Carolina. The order continues the Office of Violence Prevention and establishes a Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force within the Governor’s Crime Commission.
Governor Stein said the initiative reflects a proactive approach to public safety by addressing the root causes of violence before they escalate.
“To keep people safe, we need to do everything we can to prevent violence from occurring in the first place,” said Governor Stein. “We must bring law enforcement, health professionals, and community organizations to the table to create safer communities.”
Strengthening the Office of Violence Prevention
The Executive Order reaffirms support for the Office of Violence Prevention, an initiative Stein launched while serving as Attorney General. The office’s Advisory Board, made up of law enforcement, health professionals, community leaders, and government officials, will continue guiding efforts around firearm safety, education, and cross-sector partnerships.
The office will also expand training and resources to help local communities implement evidence-informed strategies aimed at reducing violence.
Launching the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force
A central piece of the Executive Order is the new Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force, which will focus on reducing gang activity and preventing youth recruitment.
The task force will be co-chaired by Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes and Office of Violence Prevention Director Siarra Scott. Its members will include law enforcement officials, educators, legal representatives, mental health and substance use experts, and individuals who have successfully left gangs.
Dismukes noted the important role corrections and probation officers will play in the effort.
“Many probation officers in our communities and staff in our prison facilities are specially trained to work with people who are involved with gangs. Their expertise will be key in our prevention efforts,” she said.
Caroline Farmer, Executive Director of the Governor’s Crime Commission, stressed the need to support at-risk youth.
“We must target gang violence at its source, and that means providing more support to vulnerable youth and giving law enforcement the resources they need,” Farmer said.
Scott emphasized applying a public health lens to gang prevention, ensuring that data and collaboration drive solutions.
Support for Law Enforcement
Governor Stein also renewed his call for the General Assembly to pass a budget that would provide raises for law enforcement officers, along with bonuses for new hires and out-of-state transfers. These measures aim to ease staffing shortages in state and local law enforcement agencies.
“We must ensure our officers are supported with fair pay and the resources they need to keep North Carolinians safe,” Stein said.
Building Safer Communities
The combined efforts of the Office of Violence Prevention and the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force reflect a shift toward long-term, community-focused strategies. By engaging law enforcement, educators, public health experts, and community-based organizations, the initiative seeks to build safer neighborhoods while offering vulnerable youth alternatives to gang involvement.
Governor Stein said these initiatives mark a step forward in making North Carolina communities more resilient, collaborative, and safe.
🔗 For more information, visit the North Carolina Governor’s Office.