The City of Roanoke is a national leader in community safety and is one of only two jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia to be recognized as a Certified Crime Prevention Community. To accomplish this goal, the city completed a long list of requirements through the Certified Crime Prevention Community Program to establish a benchmark other local communities can use to provide for the safety of their citizens. The certification also sends a clear signal to would-be criminals that Roanoke will not tolerate illegal behavior. The Certified Crime Prevention Community designation can be used as a marketing tool to attract families, tourists, businesses, conference planners, etc. Through this certification, Roanoke has demonstrated its resolve to make the city safe for residents and businesses alike.

Acknowledging the challenges facing its teen population, the city offers a variety of programs to give every young resident a chance to succeed. The Assessment and Brief Intervention Center provides a variety of community-based services for males and females, ages 12 to 17, ordered or referred by the courts to take part in this program. The Center also takes referrals from schools and other community sources, and serves up to 400 children and families a year. The Center is designed to provide the environment and treatment services that help correct anti-social behaviors, improve family relations, develop life skills/social skills, and create goals and objectives for the future.

The Outreach Detention/Electronic Monitoring Program provides court-ordered supervision of juveniles living within the community. Intensive supervision ensures that each client is assigned an outreach coordinator who provides daily supervision, counseling and intervention. In addition, the Electronic Monitoring Program’s high-tech surveillance apparatus ensures the whereabouts of clients at all times. Family involvement in the Parent Education Group and client participation in the supervised recreational activities is strongly recommended.