The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is now accepting applications for the Virginia Operation Ceasefire Grant Program (OCGP). The purpose of this initiative is to support the implementation of strategies that will result in reducing violent crime within the Commonwealth while implementing effective and sustainable solutions to intercept and eliminate local cycles of violence. Projects funded under this program will support Operation Bold Blue Line, an initiative to fight violent crime by standing up for law enforcement and building meaningful partnerships with communities.

The Operation Ceasefire Fund was created by the Virginia General Assembly in Chapter 2 of the Acts of Assembly of the 2022 Special Session 1. This funding source “shall be used solely for the purposes of implementing violent crime reduction strategies, providing training for law-enforcement officers and prosecutors, providing equipment for law enforcement agencies, and awarding grants to organizations such as state and local law-enforcement agencies, local attorneys for the Commonwealth, localities, social services providers, and nonprofit organizations that are engaged in group violence intervention efforts. For the purposes of subsection N.2. of this item, ‘group violence intervention’ means comprehensive law enforcement, prosecutorial, and community-based initiatives, substantially similar to Operation Ceasefire as implemented in Boston, Massachusetts and the Gang Reduction Programs implemented in Richmond and Los Angeles, California, which are documented by the Department of Justice and are carried out between members of law enforcement, members of the community, and social services providers.”

This announcement provides guidance to aid applicants in determining eligibility, developing a program narrative, developing the itemized budget and budget narrative, and completing other related forms. Using the guidance presented in this document, applicants should be able to efficiently and effectively prepare complete applications in the On-line Grant Management System (OGMS).

Eligibility

Under this solicitation, eligible applicants include:

• State Government Agencies (prosecution/law enforcement only)
• Local Government Agencies
• Law Enforcement Agencies (Police and Sheriff)
• Local Commonwealth Attorney’s Offices
• Community-based or nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status