Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney | Harvey Bryant » Recent Events

January 21, 2012: Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Annual Awards Dinner

mpridgen — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:33:41 +0000

Harvey attended the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers 30th Celebration Annual Awards Dinner on January 21st at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Virginia Beach. Prior to installing the 2012 officers, he presented Crime Solvers with a check for $1,000 from his office’s asset forfeiture fund for the fourth year in a row. WAVY tv’s Cheryl Tan served as Mistress of Ceremonies. The following 2nd Precinct officers won the Captain Clyde D. Hathaway Memorial Award: Officer William Ahern, Officer Noel Benson, and Detective Leon Williams. MPO Al DAngelis received the Chief Charles R. Wall SRO Award, and MPO James LaClaire was also nominated for this award. Harvey extends his appreciation to the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers for their dedication toward keeping the community safe and secure.

Virginia Beach Victim-Witness Program Receives Award for Service to Crime Victims

mpridgen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:20:05 +0000

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 · 10:00 am
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that the office’s Victim-Witness Program received the 2011 Program of the Year award from the Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (CICF). The award was formally presented by CICF Director, Mary Vail Ware, at the Virginia Beach City Council meeting held on Tuesday evening, January 10, 2012.

According to CICF, the Program of the Year award signifies “outstanding service and advocacy on behalf of victims and for providing assistance to help ease the economic burden caused by violent crime.” Presented annually since 2004, over 100 Victim-Witness programs throughout the state were candidates for the award. A group of 18 CICF staff select the recipient based upon the amount of CICF claims submitted by the program in comparison to their population and crime rate, the program’s mechanism for and amount of restitution collection, how well the victim-witness advocates relate to their victims, and how responsive the program is to CICF requests for assistance in advancing a claim.

Virginia Beach’s Victim-Witness program facilitated the collection of over $230,080 for 232 victims of crimes such as homicide, robbery, sexual abuse, and assault. Reimbursed expenses included medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, personal property, moving expenses, temporary housing, and transportation costs.

“Virginia Beach has undergone quite a few changes in recent years, and the improved services to victims are evident all of the way to Richmond,” said Ware. “You all have a lot to be proud of.”

“Our Victim-Witness team does a tremendous job in all respects,” Bryant said. “I’m happy for them that they received recognition in this aspect of their multifaceted efforts for victims.”

The Criminal Injures Compensation Fund was established in Virginia in 1977 to pay unreimbursed expenses of victims who suffer physical or emotional injury or death as a result of a crime. To date, CICF has processed over 25,000 claims from those who have been victims of violent crimes in Virginia. Annually, CICF receives approximately 2,000 claims and awards about three million dollars. CICF is funded by court fees, assessments on offenders, restitution, and a federal Victim of Crime Act Grant.

Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

Bryant Elected to National District Attorneys Association Board

mpridgen — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:44:29 +0000

Wednesday, January 04, 2012 · 05:00 pm
At its December 2011 meeting in Staunton, VA, the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorney’s elected Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey L. Bryant as its representative to the National District Attorneys Association Board of Directors. Bryant was elected to replace Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney Linda Curtis, who is retiring in February.

The National District Attorneys Association is the oldest and largest professional organization in the world representing prosecutors. It serves as a nationwide, interdisciplinary resource center for training, research, technical assistance, and publications reflecting the highest standards and cutting-edge practices of the prosecutorial profession.

“I’m honored to represent our state on the board of directors of the organization which is the national voice of prosecutors,” Bryant said. “I can only hope to match the dedication and wisdom that Linda Curtis brought to this position.”

Bryant has served as the president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys and continues to serve as the 2nd Congressional District Representative on its Board of Directors.

Please call Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.

October 12: Crime Prevention Steering Committee Awards Ceremony

mpridgen — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:38:04 +0000

Harvey was the keynote speaker at the Virginia Beach Crime Prevention Steering Committee’s 28th Annual Awards Ceremony at the Anchor Inn on October 12th. Mayor William Sessoms, Chief of Police James Cervera, and Sheriff Ken Stolle attended the luncheon, and WTKR’s Kurt Williams was the Master of Ceremonies. Harvey discussed our local media’s coverage of crime in our area, a public service he appreciates. He explained that when the media keeps the public informed about crimes in our community, citizens are able to join in the crime prevention effort. The following individuals and groups were honored at the ceremony:
• Peabody’s – Private Industry Award
• Kurt Williams – Citizen Award
• Wave City Care – Community Organization
• Brandon Ramsey – Volunteer Award
• Matthew Nieves – Youth Award
• MPO Jorwell Macapobre of the Third Precinct – Law Enforcement Award
• Green Run High School – Drive Safe Hampton Roads “Get it Together” High School Safety Belt Challenge, 2nd Place Overall
• First Colonial High School – Drive Safe Hampton Roads “Get it Together” High School Safety Belt Challenge, Highest Overall Seat Belt Usage for a VB High School
• Michael Beck – VB Crime Prevention Steering Committee Chairperson 2009-2011
• Dena McElligott – VB Crime Prevention Steering Committee Treasurer 2009-2011

View more photos of the ceremony:
http://www.harveybryant.com/photo-galleries/

Oct 6th: Local Government Paralegal Association

mpridgen — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:35:56 +0000

Harvey gave opening remarks at the Local Government Paralegal Association of Virginia’s annual conference at the Holiday Inn and Suites North Beach. Over 40 paralegals were in attendance, including five from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in Virginia Beach. Another staff member, Senior Commonwealth’s Attorney Catherine Dodson, gave an informative presentation on ethics at the seminar.

Oct 4th: National Night Out

mpridgen — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:34:03 +0000

Harvey addressed a group of close to 200 senior residents of the Villages at West Neck during their annual National Night Out event. He spoke about his office’s role in the fight against crime in Virginia Beach. He explained that citizens are an integral part in the fight against crime. What a great turnout!

Oct 1st: Virginia Beach Republican Breakfast

mpridgen — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:30:24 +0000

Harvey was honored to be the guest speaker at the Virginia Beach Republican Breakfast on Oct 1^st at the Crowne Plaza in Virginia Beach. He gave an introduction of the role and functions of his office, as well as an overview of the criminal justice system.

Third Annual Title 18.2 Golf Classic

mpridgen — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:07:07 +0000

The Friends of Harvey Bryant’s Third Annual Title 18.2 Golf Classic will be held November 4, 2011 at Red Wing Golf Course. Shotgun start at noon, preceded by lunch. Details and fees on the below flyer. Sponsorships and hole sponsors still available.

Golf Classic 2011

United Way Day of Caring – Sept. 9, 2011

mpridgen — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:15:49 +0000

Five Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office staff members volunteered in the community as part of the United Way Day of Caring on September 9, 2011. The group joined some volunteers from other agencies and city departments at the Atlantis Manor in Virginia Beach. Together they removed 30 bushes and planted over 70 bushes. They also painted the doors and entryways of the home. Thanks to the group for their hard work in helping our community!

Chairing Governor McDonnell’s Asset Forfeiture Workgroup

mpridgen — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:24:23 +0000

Harvey is chairman of Governor Bob McDonnell’s Asset Forfeiture Workgroup. Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker assembled this 12-member group of state and local law enforcement officials, a Homeland Security Supervising Special Agent, and two other elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys on behalf of the governor. The Workgroup’s goal is to make sure the appropriate use of asset forfeiture is being maximized in an effort to deter criminal activity in Virginia. The collective experience of this group will allow them to analyze and evaluate asset forfeiture laws in order to have them more strongly support Virginia law enforcement efforts. An enhanced asset forfeiture system will take the profit out of crime by seizing assets that are obtained when crimes are committed.