Commonwealth's Attorney

Newport News, VA – Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard E. Gwynn today announced the creation of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Community Advisory Board, an innovative initiative to amplify community voices in criminal justice decisions and promote solutions addressing quality-of-life concerns with community leaders and citizens. The inaugural meeting of the board was April 16 and brought together a spirit of cooperation from all its participants.

The Community Advisory Board, comprising local civic leaders, pastors, educators, and residents, will serve as a crucial link between the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office and the Newport News community. This board fosters collaboration among city, schools, religious groups, and non-profits to proactively address community concerns, prevent crime, and expand rehabilitation services.

“This board represents another step in our community-driven approach to justice,” said Gwynn. “Real justice isn’t achieved in isolation. The Advisory Board is a partnership designed to strengthen the coordination of support available to our citizens in Newport News.”

Board members will provide insights and recommendations directly to Commonwealth’s Attorney Gwynn on matters such as community safety, victim support, juvenile justice, mental health and addiction treatment initiatives, and crime prevention programs. The creation of the board aligns with Gwynn’s longstanding commitment to innovative justice, community safety, and rehabilitative solutions and allows a coordinated collaboration with these important agencies and the people of Newport News.

One board member is Pastor Mike Torres from Oasis de Vida church. “I’m truly honored and excited to be part of a powerful team initiative dedicated to transforming lives and enhancing the quality of life for those we serve,” Torres said.  Pastor Torres is also involved with the Latinos en Virginia Empowerment Center, which provides bi-lingual and bi-cultural trained advocates to support victims of domestic or sexual violence.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has pioneered diversion programs like behavioral health courts and drug treatment dockets. The Community Advisory Board expands upon these efforts, incorporating diverse community perspectives to drive fair outcomes and support all our citizens.

Another member of the Board, City Councilman Rob Coleman, sees the board as an avenue to build trust with the community we all serve. “[The Board] will play a vital role in fostering transparency, accountability, and trust between the criminal justice system and our community. This committee is just another example of Howard’s life-long commitment to protecting and defending the residents of Newport News,” said Coleman.

Sheriff Gabriel Morgan also participated in the inaugural meeting of the Board and spoke passionately about the need to increase our communication to the community to help ensure that all victims of crime know they can come forward without fear. “I applaud our Commonwealth Attorney, Howard Gwynn, for convening this advisory board to address community concerns collaboratively and intentionally. The discussion was impactful, and I look forward to working with this amazing group,” said Morgan.

Regular meetings will allow board members to address immediate and long-term issues impacting Newport News neighborhoods and residents, in the context of the criminal justice system.