Certified Crime Prevention

What is Certified Community Crime Prevention Program?
In 1998 an Executive Order created the New Partnership Commission for Community Safety, charged with the responsibility of advising the Governor on new initiatives to “promote community safety, particularly youth and family safety.” The Commission worked diligently to assess the needs of localities across the Commonwealth and assist them in addressing their individual community safety issues.
The Commission asked the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to recommend programs that foster the development of community safety initiatives at the local level. DCJS proposed, and the Commission approved, the Certified Crime Prevention Community Program. Based on a study conducted by the Virginia State Crime Commission in 1993, the goal of the program is to publicly recognize and certify localities that have implemented a defined set of community safety strategies as part of a comprehensive community safety/crime prevention effort.
One of the first of its kind in the nation, the program encourages localities to develop and implement collaborative community safety plans within a flexible framework designed by the Commission. Furthermore, it provides an ongoing process by which communities can reassess and update their plans to address emerging community safety issues. To obtain certification, a locality must meet 12 core community safety elements/strategies augmented by a minimum of seven approved optional elements. DCJS runs and monitors the program. An agency must recertification every 3‑years.
What’s required to become certified?
- County adopts Resolution of support
- Program plan submitted to DCJS for approval
- Program created and put into full effect
What incentives are there for Warren County to become certified?
- Become a leader in Community Safety.
- Sends a clear signal to criminals that criminal behavior will not be tolerated.
- WCSO given preference in the State Criminal Justice Grant application process.
- Great marketing tool to attract families, tourists, businesses, and others interested in finding a safe location in which to live, work, and play.
- Premium reductions from insurance companies for policyholders.
- Enhances the professionalism of county management and Sheriff’s Office by showing we can meet rigorous standards related to community safety.
Program Elements
There are 12 core elements and 7 optional elements that comprise our program plan. Additionally, there are other optional programs and initiatives that may become a part of the program.
12 — Core Community Safety Elements
- COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (CAC)
- DCJS Certified Crime Prevention Specialist
- Neighborhood Watch Program
- Community Policing/Crime Control Planning Process
- Organized Distro of Community Safety Literature
- Community Safety/Risk Assessments
- Crime Analyst
- Comprehensive School Safety Audit
- Business Outreach Program
- Organized Referral Process for Crime Victims
- Youth Delinquency Prevention Program
- VLEPSC Accreditation
WCSO — Optional Safety Elements
Other Active Programs
Other Links For Programs