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Description: The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force (NWVARDTF) began in 1986 with eight law enforcement officials. Today, the NWVARDTF has a roster of 25 investigators and is responsible for drug enforcement in an area that spans more than 1700 square miles and encompasses the counties of Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Clarke, and Warren, the City of Winchester, and the Town of Front Royal. The agents are responsible for identifying and apprehending members of sophisticated narcotics organizations responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, powder cocaine, heroin, and crack cocaine. In response to the July 2003 homicide of a federal witness, 17-year-old, Brenda Julisa Paz, murdered along the banks of the Shenandoah River by members of Mara Salvatrucha gang (MS-13), and evidence of additional gang activities surfacing in and around the region, the NWVARDTF initiated an intensive campaign to counter gang-related offenses. To date, one analyst and seven gang investigators have been hired to focus on suppression by apprehending and prosecuting gang members, intervention and prevention of gangs and their criminal activities. Investigators and analysts have attended or sponsored several workshops that address recognition of gang presence in the form of tattoos, graffiti, colors, and activities. Furthermore, investigators and analysts attend meetings held by the Virginia Gang Investigators Association (VGIA) and soon, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators Network (MARGIN) to discuss enforcement methods that have been successful in reducing gang-related crimes in other areas. This project is designed to provide an effective response to the escalation of gang members and gang-related violence in the areas served by the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force. The 2005 Congressional Earmark funds will be used to continue the employment of seven task force investigators who will specifically focus their attention on identifying members of violent gangs, and monitoring activities of gang members in and around the task force region. Also, the grant funds will be utilized to continue the employment of an intelligence analyst who will compile and disseminate information about gangs and gang activity to: investigators who are responsible for identifying and dismantling violent gangs, all law enforcement agencies, and residents who ultimately are the eyes and ears of law enforcement.
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| Shenandoah County Sheriffs Office (145454612) |
$579 |
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Locality |
P.O. Box 204
118 West Court Street
Woodstock,
VA
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Citation
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Source:
Appropriations Report Language - Conference
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Reference:
Pub. L. No. 108-447
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Method:
User entered excerpt
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Citation Excerpt: $587,000 for the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force;
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