Youth Services
The Virginia Beach Police Department created the Youth Services Unit in January 2023 to better serve our city’s youth population.
The Youth Services Unit oversees all youth-related programs and outreach efforts, including the School Resource Officer Program and other school programs, mentorship and outreach initiatives, internships, and employment opportunities.
Youth Services Unit Programs and Initiatives
School Programs
VBPD works closely with faculty and staff from Virginia Beach’s Public Schools.
Mentorship & Outreach
Mentoring young people and fostering positive relationships with youths is a critical mission of the Youth Services Unit.
Internships & Employment
The Youth Services Unit offers multiple internship and part-time employment opportunities to eligible youths.
Summer Camps
The Youth Services Unit offers multiple camps in the summer to give young people chances to interact directly with police officers in positive environments.
Overview of Juvenile Justice System
The juvenile justice system is designed to rehabilitate and educate juveniles, helping them learn from their experience and avoid future contact with the justice system. This is accomplished by addressing the offense committed, needs of the juvenile, and treatment options. The desires of the victim are also taken into consideration by the Court Services Unit and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judges. Since secured detention is intended for the most serious offenders, there are alternatives to detention, including diversion options.
If a juvenile enters the juvenile justice system through police contact, a decision is made whether to counsel and release the juvenile or to make an arrest. If a parent or citizen is making the complaint, they will need to go to Juvenile Intake to complete the required paperwork. The Court Services Unit makes the decision, in collaboration with the complainant and victim, whether to take informal action, file a petition, or take no action at all. Once a petition has been filed, an intake officer assesses if the juvenile should be detained or released to his or her parent(s)/guardian(s). The decision is based on several factors, including the offense committed, the juvenile’s criminal record and use of weapons.
When a report is filed with the Virginia Beach Police Department, the paperwork is forwarded to the Virginia Beach Court Services Unit for processing. Cases can be handled in several ways. Victims can choose from the following options:
- Petition: In the juvenile justice system, a petition is similar to an adult warrant. It formally charges a juvenile with a criminal offense and requires him/her to appear before a judge with a parent or guardian. The victim must also appear in court for the trial.
- Diversion: Based on the facts and circumstances of the case, the intake officer can decide to take informal action such as linkage to services and evidence-based programs. This approach provides an opportunity for the juvenile to learn from his/her actions without the presence of a formal criminal charge. In the event the juvenile does not comply with the diversion process, a petition can still be obtained.
- Warn and Release: For minor offenses, the police officer can create an official record of the incident without referring the matter to Juvenile Intake for a petition or diversion. The juvenile is simply warned and released to a parent or guardian.
Other Resources
The VBPD Victim Advocate can be contacted by calling (757) 385-4101. Additionally, victims can view a list of various resources on the Commonwealth’s Attorney website.
CHINS Petition
A child in need of services or supervision (CHINS) may qualify for a CHINS petition if they meet the criteria outlined in the Virginia State Code. Examples of CHINS issues include curfew violations, truancy and running away. Please note that a CHINS petition is not automatically issued if a child runs away several times, as other are criteria required.
For additional information, call the Virginia Beach Court Services Unit at (757) 385-4361 or visit their website.
Parents and guardians are strongly discouraged from attempting to obtain a CHINS petition without first calling the Virginia Beach Court Services Unit at the phone number listed above.
Firearm Safety/Gun Lock Program
Nearly 1,300 children die from shootings each year and firearm-related injuries have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for children and teens. Adolescents are at a higher risk for suicide when there is a gun in the home since impulses and emotions can cloud their judgment. Younger children are fast and curious, and even a young child can pull the trigger on a firearm.
Parents should teach their children about firearms and answer any questions they may have. Younger children may not understand that gun use and violence seen on television and in video games are not real, so parents should discuss that topic with their children.
In the event a child finds a firearm, teach them to:
- Stop
- Don’t touch the firearm
- Leave the area
- Tell a trusted adult
Firearm owners need to ensure their firearms are unloaded and secured in a safe or gun box and the key is hidden. The safe combination and/or location of the key should be changed frequently. Additionally, ammunition should be stored separately from the firearm. Children will climb and search, so storing a firearm in a drawer or on a high shelf is not safe or effective.
If a safe or gun box is not an option, a cable gun lock is a great alternative. Firearm owners can obtain cable gun locks, free of charge, from any Virginia Beach Police precinct. Additionally, free gun locks are available from VBPD display tables at many community events.
Internet and Cell Phone Safety
Many children are using cell phones and the internet on a regular basis, whether it is for school, social interactions, entertainment, or all the above. Unfortunately, the internet and cell phones pose a variety of dangers for children, so parents should set standards for internet and cell phone use and talk to their children about those dangers and how to safely use the internet and cell phones.Topics that should be discussed include:
- Keeping personal information private and not sharing their name, address, school, phone number, etc. with anyone they meet online.
- Not sharing photographs of themselves or their families.
- Not taking and/or sharing inappropriate or obscene photographs/videos of themselves or others.
- Understanding that just because they think they know someone they met online, that person is still a stranger.
- Not meeting anyone in person that they meet online.
- The appropriate use of social media sites and the dangers associated with those sites.
- Bullying using social media, cell phones, etc.
- Not to share passwords or login information with anyone.
- To immediately notify a trusted adult if they encounter a problem or experience anything that makes them uncomfortable.
Parents may also want to consider using existing parental settings or installing a parental app on their child’s cell phone to restrict access to certain content and limit with whom their child communicates. Teens need to understand the potential risks and legal consequences associated with sharing obscene photographs and/or videos of themselves or others.
Recreation Safety
The City of Virginia Beach is surrounded by water and full of fun activities for children of all ages. To reduce the risk of serious injury or death while enjoying these activities, parents should discuss the following safety tips with their children:
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, or roller skates.
- Wear knee and elbow pads when riding a skateboard or roller skates.
- Don’t play in the street.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Drink plenty of fluids when playing outside, especially in the summer.
- Never swim alone.
- Jump feet-first into a swimming pool.
- Understand rip currents and how to escape them if they are ever caught in one. To escape a rip current, swimmers should swim parallel to the shore instead of trying to swim back to shore.
- Always make sure a parent or trusted adult knows where you are. Check in often.
Additionally
- Adults should ensure pools are gated to avoid children from accessing them without supervision.
- Parents should establish safe play areas for children.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988)
The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides services to anyone experiencing a suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. Assistance can be obtained from the Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 to listen, provide support, and share resources. If someone is an imminent threat to themselves or someone else, request law enforcement by calling 911.Youth and Community Action Team (YCAT)
YCAT is a community coalition that promotes healthy living through awareness and education. The group meets monthly and focuses on various topics, including substance abuse, mental health, suicide awareness/prevention, and gun safety. They can be contacted by calling (757) 385-0803.