Executive Order No. 21: Advancing Safety In North Carolina Through The Office of Violence Prevention And The Gang Prevention And Intervention Task Force

August 19, 2025

Executive Order No. 21

Advancing Safety In North Carolina

Through The Office of Violence Prevention And

The Gang Prevention And Intervention Task Force

Whereas, the safety of North Carolinians must be a top priority of all leaders, including leaders in state government; and

Whereas, all communities in our state should be free from harm and violence; and

Whereas, addressing violence is a matter of public safety and public health, as safe communities increase economic opportunity and lead to healthier people; and

Whereas, several state agencies and organizations, including, but not limited to, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction ("DAC"), the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ("DHHS"), the North Carolina Department of Public Safety ("DPS"), the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation ("SBI"), the North Carolina State Highway Patrol ("SHP"), and the Governor’s Crime Commission ("GCC"), have initiatives and programs that advance safety across the state; and

Whereas, in Executive Order No. 279, Governor Cooper established within the DPS the North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention ("OVP"), which works to reduce violence and its associated harms and encourage safe storage of firearms; and

Whereas, Governor Cooper further established the Community Violence Advisory Board ("Advisory Board") to provide guidance to the OVP; and

Whereas, pursuant to Executive Order No. 279, the Advisory Board expired on March 31, 2025; and

Whereas, Governor Stein has determined that in order to best promote public safety for all North Carolinians, the OVP and the Advisory Board should continue; and

Whereas, North Carolina continues to be impacted by gang activity, including the presence of approximately 4,000 validated gang members across the state and an alarming rise in youth gang activity with suspected juvenile gang crime increasing nearly 50 percent in the past five years; and

Whereas, the 2025 Gang Prevention Legislative Report from the GCC, the SBI, and the SHP noted that gang-involved at-risk youth have more mental health problems than other at-risk youth, are twice as likely to have negative peer relationships than other at-risk youth, and are nearly twice as likely to have family with criminal behavior history; and

Whereas, the 2025 Gang Prevention Legislative Report recommended the creation of a task force focused on gang prevention to effectively combat gang activity in North Carolina; and

Whereas, Governor Stein has determined that in order to best promote public safety for all North Carolinians, a concerted, statewide effort focused on both gang prevention and intervention is required; and

Whereas, pursuant to Article III of the North Carolina Constitution and N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 143A-4 and 143B-4, the Governor is the chief executive officer of the state and is responsible for formulating and administering the policies of the executive branch of state government; and

Whereas, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-12, the Governor has the authority and the duty to supervise the official conduct of all executive and ministerial officers.

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in the undersigned as Governor by the Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina, it is ordered:

Section 1. Continuing the Work of the Office of Violence Prevention.

The DPS is hereby directed to continue operating the OVP. The mission of the OVP shall remain to reduce violence and its associated harms and encourage safe storage of firearms in North Carolina by coordinating efforts across state agencies and partnering with local communities to support and deploy evidence-based and promising programs and strategies.

The OVP shall work closely and coordinate with other state agencies, including the DHHS to ensure a whole-of-government and public health approach to reducing violence.

The OVP may engage in activities that align with its mission, such as offering training and technical assistance, issuing best practice guidance and model processes, facilitating cross-jurisdictional information sharing, conducting public awareness campaigns, sharing data and collaborating with research institutions, and identifying and applying for funding from federal and philanthropic sources.

The OVP shall implement its strategic plan and performance objectives in coordination with the DHHS and the Advisory Board reestablished herein. 

The OVP shall submit a report describing its activities, establishing priorities, and making recommendations to the Office of the Governor annually in December.

Section 2. Reestablishing the Community Violence Advisory Board.

To facilitate the OVP’s collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including public health professionals, law enforcement, community-based organizations, and survivors of violence, the DPS is hereby directed to reestablish the Advisory Board. In consultation with the Office of the Governor, the OVP shall manage the Advisory Board.

The Director shall ensure that the membership of the Advisory Board consists of individuals dedicated to the mission of the OVP. The Advisory Board will provide guidance to the Director, including on the implementation of the OVP’s strategic plan.

Section 3. Establishing the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force.

The GCC is hereby directed, in collaboration with the DAC and the OVP to establish the North Carolina Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force (“Task Force”). As an advisory body to the GCC, the Task Force shall be housed within the GCC with representatives of the DAC and OVP serving as co-chairs.

The mission of the Task Force shall be to make recommendations to reduce the presence and impact of gang activity in North Carolina and to report on and support the implementation of such efforts. It shall focus on, but not be limited to, education, prevention, and intervention efforts focused on youth and justice-involved individuals; support and training for law enforcement; and enhanced coordination among community, local, state, and federal partners.

The Executive Director of the GCC, in partnership with the Task Force co-chairs, shall name no more than twenty (20) members, in addition to the co-chairs, to the Task Force. Members shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from the SBI and the SHP; representatives from the education, law enforcement, and legal communities; representatives from community-based organizations and mental health and substance use organizations; and people who successfully left gangs.

The Task Force shall submit a report describing its activities, establishing priorities, and making recommendations to the Office of the Governor annually in March.

Section 4. Effective Date.

This Executive Order is effective immediately. Section 1 shall remain in effect until rescinded or superseded by another applicable Executive Order. Sections 2 and 3 shall remain in effect until August 31, 2027, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-16.2, or until rescinded.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capital in the City of Raleigh, this 19th day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-five.

Josh Stein

Governor

Attest:

Timothy L. Crowley

Chief of Staff, Secretary of State