Danville’s city council will vote on several budget amendments related to public safety and law enforcement at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
First, council will consider an ordinance amending the 2025 fiscal year budget to provide for a grant to continue Danville’s victim/witness program.
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services approved over $177,000 in federal funding to continue this program, which assists the victims of criminal offenses.
The grant includes a local match of $1,250 for a total amount of over $178,000. This is an annual award.
The victim/witness program provides both direct and referral services to meet mental health, social services, legal and medical needs, as well as to file claims for crime victims’ compensation, according to the staff report in the meeting’s agenda packet.
The program also provides a court escort and an explanation of criminal court procedures, and it can intervene with employers, collection agencies and landlords if needed.
“The goal of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program is to alleviate the confusion, pain and suffering experienced by innocent victims of violent crime occurring in Danville,” the staff report says.
Next, council will consider a budget amendment ordinance to account for an increase in revenue from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
The department has awarded Danville a $15,000 grant, called the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. This grant “is the leading source of federal justice funding for state and local jurisdictions,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice Website.
In Danville, the money will be used to purchase and deploy 19 tactical mini shields, which are small, portable ballistic shields that protect from handgun and rifle rounds.
Six of these shields will be placed in the vehicles of school resource officers in Danville. Thirteen more will be placed in marked patrol vehicles.
“The addition of this equipment immediately improves officer, school and public safety by providing quick deployment during dangerous situations where enhanced ballistic protection is needed,” the staff report says.
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Systems has awarded Danville another grant, which council will also consider at its meeting.
Councilmembers will vote on amending the 2025 fiscal year budget to allow for the $100,000 grant, which will be put toward an ongoing effort to serve individuals in crisis.
The Danville Police Department, partnering with Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services, is working to implement a Marcus Alert co-response model.
The Marcus Alert system involves a collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals to respond to behavioral health crises.
The grant funds will be used to purchase two Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs “for the initial implementation and deployment of a MARCUS Alert model,” the staff report says.
“The vehicles will be used to service Danville and Pittsylvania County through the partnership with Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services, with each law enforcement agency sharing maintenance and upkeep expenses of the vehicles after acceptance,” it says.
Staff recommends approval of all three of these items.
Also at this meeting, council will take a final vote on the proposed school board budget, which was introduced at its previous meeting.
The meeting will be followed by a city council work session.
Also meeting in Danville this week is the commission of architectural review, which will meet at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
In Pittsylvania, the board of supervisors will have its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
