ALEXANDRIA, Va. — On Friday, the City of Alexandria's Police Department, in partnership with the Agudas Achim Congregation of Northern Virginia, was awarded grant funding to combat local hate crimes.
The city received a total of $147,600 in grant funding through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Serviced (DCJS)’ Combating Hate Crime Grant.
Officials say the funding will support first-aid training to the entire City of Alexandria interfaith community, including approximately 50 congregations. Each congregation that is participating will receive first-aid kits and tourniquets.
“Every resident of our City deserves the right to worship safely. This Hate Crime Grant funding provides our Alexandria faith-based communities with vital resources, including first-aid training and supplies. The Alexandria Police Department and congregations in the City are establishing a wonderful partnership and network of safety for the entire city,” said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.
In addition, funding will support security enhancements at the Agudas Achim Congregation.
“I want to thank members of the Alexandria Police Department and the Agudas Achim Congregation for their vision and tireless work involved in obtaining this grant,” said Alexandria City Manager James Parajon. “This collaboration is a wonderful example of how our great institutions can stand together to protect members of our community.”
Earlier this year, the DCJS announced that there was $1,500,000 in state general funds for localities to combat hate crimes. Officials say these funds are part of Operation Bold Blue Line, an initiative presented by Governor Youngkin in October 2022 as a plan to support actions to reduce violent crime in Virginia.
The goal of the Hate Crimes Grant Program is to minimize bias-motivated incidents by providing funding that supports institutions and/or nonprofit organizations that may be at risk based on race, religious conviction, color, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin.
According to the FBI, in just the last two years, U.S. law enforcement agencies have reported more than 15,000 hate crimes.
In 1975, the Alexandria Office of Human Rights was established to combat discrimination, increase equal opportunity and protect human rights for persons who live, work, or visit in the City.
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