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Community groups ask Newport News council for recurring 2% general‑fund line for citywide street team; teachers press for collective bargaining vote
Summary
At the Jan. 13 council meeting, community violence‑intervention groups urged a recurring 2% general‑fund allocation to sustain a Newport News Community Street Team; educators pressed council to schedule a vote on collective bargaining for city employees and school staff.
Newport News — Community groups and residents urged the City Council on Jan. 13 to establish a recurring 2% general‑fund line to support a coordinated Newport News Community Street Team, saying sustained funding would expand street‑level intervention, stabilization and reentry services for youth and families.
Speakers representing several grassroots organizations and programs described outreach efforts they say have reduced violence and provided hands‑on support for high‑risk youth. Latanya Biss Denson, executive director of Abu Unity Incorporated and program director of the Victor program, told the council: "Tonight, we ask for the creation of a recurring line item of 2% of the city's general fund for community based public safety efforts." She said federal intervention funds were cut and community funding is necessary to maintain services.
Other speakers repeated the 2% request and described complementary services. Christopher…
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