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New DPS secretary pledges support; governor's budget signals state violence‑prevention funding
Summary
Secretary Jeffrey Smythe introduced himself to the advisory board, pledged to champion evidence‑based violence‑reduction initiatives with the governor and legislature, and staff flagged governor Stein's budget recommendations that include office infrastructure funding, a violence prevention grant program via the governor's crime commission, and a $1,000,000 recommendation for NC Safe.
Jeffrey Smythe, the newly appointed secretary for the Department of Public Safety, joined the advisory board meeting to introduce himself and express support for the office's initiatives. Smythe described a 35‑year policing career including time as police chief in Burlington and said he would carry the advisory board's evidence‑based proposals to the governor and legislature.
Moderator noted members would have a minute for questions; Smythe offered to answer one or two before departing and reiterated his willingness to engage with the board both virtually and in person at upcoming events.
Staff later summarized elements of Governor Stein's budget recommendations that they believed would be relevant to advisory board work: funding to bolster the office's infrastructure, a recommendation to create a violence prevention grant program to be administered through the governor's crime commission to help offset declining federal funds, and a proposed $1,000,000 allocation to support NC Safe administered through Juvenile Justice. Staff said the budget document link would be shared in chat and members should use those recommendations when talking with local representatives.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; the secretary's remarks were welcome and staff asked members to follow up through established channels if they wanted additional engagement.
