News Release

November 6, 2007
News Release Contact:
Becky Gettings - (804) 213-4419
E-mail: pubrel@abc.virginia.gov

ABC Forms New Partnership to Support its Initiatives with Virginia Communities

The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announces the establishment of a new partnership, the ABC Community Advisory Council, to facilitate additional vision, insight, accountability and support to the agency through linkages and partnerships with public safety, educational and other community groups and citizens throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Community Advisory Council will be formed in four regions of the Commonwealth: North, which would include the Alexandria office; South Central, which would include both of the Richmond offices; East, which would include Chesapeake and Hampton offices; and Southwest, which includes offices in Abingdon, Lynchburg, Staunton and Charlottesville. Each region will meet once a year with the option of adding meetings based on issues that arise in their communities. Members of the Council will consist of ABC licensees, members of civic and government organizations and members of community associations. Special agents in charge (SACs) with the ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement will serve as chairpersons and will be responsible for forming and maintaining the council in their specific regions.

Each council member will be recruited because of the unique talents and perspectives they process to strengthen and enhance communication within the community. The goal of the council is to have its members provide ideas and insight to the varied decisions ABC makes that affect the type and level of service provided to the communities. Agendas will include a review of each region’s community issues and needs, crime prevention efforts, problem licensees, new laws and regulations and store services. Each meeting will also include general discussions.

"We are taking the basic concepts of community policing and expanding it to a statewide level. This is a very exciting and essential endeavor for us," said ABC Director of Enforcement Francis J. Monahan.

For more information about the ABC Community Advisory Council or to express interest in serving, visit www.abc.virginia.gov, or you can e-mail abc_ac@abc.virginia.gov.