Newport News announced Friday that it has appointed Synethia White as its first Community Violence Prevention Manager in the city’s bid to reduce violence and enhance community safety.
During his State of the City address in March, Mayor Phillip Jones announced a goal to reduce gun violence homicides in the city by 15% over 18 months. One of the solutions he mentioned was establishing an Office of Community Safety “led by a strategic thinker with action-oriented credentials.”
Jones previously said the person would be “a community champion” and build a team made up of city employees, volunteers and advocates to advise the city manager and council on best practices to reduce violence in the community. In the new role, White will develop and implement violence prevention strategies, engage the community and collaborate with local organizations.
According to a news release, White “brings a wealth of experience” in community outreach, conflict resolution, and program development — with 20 years of experience in public service. She will focus on addressing the root causes of violence and plans to establish programs empowering youth, supporting families and providing resources for those affected by violence.