Virginia Secretary of Public Safety http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/rss/HomePageRSS.cfm Secretary of Public Safety - Latest News Releases (c) Secretary of Public Safety 2009 Commonwealth of Virginia <![CDATA[Executive Orders on Sexual Assualt and Domestic Violence is Announced ]]> September 30 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced two executive orders that build on recent successes in improving the Commonwealth's response to sexual assault and domestic violence.The Governor announced these actions at a domestic violence conference sponsored by the Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protective Orders (GEAP) partnership.

"Every year, far too many Virginians suffer from sexual assault and domestic violence," Governor Kaine said."The actions I've announced today recognize the need for further improvements in the Commonwealth's response to victims of these crimes and for collaboration among all community partners in the years to come."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1095 <![CDATA[Commonwealth Receives Federal Reimbursement for the Presidential Inauguration ]]> September 3 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced more than $2.8 million in federal grants to reimburse local and state agencies for extraordinary expenses accrued by law enforcement, security, and public safety agencies during the Presidential Inauguration and transition period.

Reimbursement comes through the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance from the FY2009 Presidential Inauguration Security Assistance Grant Program and the FY2009 President Elect Security Assistance Grant Program.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1056 <![CDATA[2008 Public Safety Medal of Valor Awards Announced]]> August 26 — Governor Kaine today conferred the 2008 Medal of Valor Awards to Trooper Justin T. Mahalik and Trooper Kenneth J. Brown of the Virginia State Police.

The Commonwealth Public Safety Medal of Valor Awards, given annually since 2002, are the highest honors for heroism conferred upon a public safety officer in Virginia. Governor Kaine presented the awards at today's ceremony at the State Capitol.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1047 <![CDATA[Winchester Readiness Center to be Named in Honor of Fallen Virginia Guard Soldiers]]> August 14 — Governor Kaine announced that the new Virginia National Guard Readiness Center in Winchester will be named the Cherry-Beasley Readiness Center in honor of Staff Sgt. Craig W. Cherry and Sgt. Bobby E. Beasley, two Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. The readiness center operations center will be named in honor of retired United States Senator John Warner. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1031 <![CDATA[ABC Commission Appointment Announced]]> August 4 — Governor Kaine announced the appointment of William J. Pantele to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, effective August 3, 2009.

Pantele represented the Second District for three full terms on the Richmond City Council, including a term as president of the council from 2006-2008. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1020 <![CDATA[Governor Hosts Third Annual Campus Preparedness Conference]]> August 3 — Governor Kaine is hosting the third annual Governor's Campus Preparedness Conference at Virginia Commonwealth University's Student Commons.

Participants share information on campus security strategies, participate in panel discussions on preparedness issues, and examine the latest products and services to improve campus security from a wide variety of vendors. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1018 <![CDATA[Governor Kaine to Call Special Session to Address U.S. Supreme Court's Decision in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts]]> July 22 — In agreement with the leadership of the General Assembly, the August 19th session will focus solely on the required law changes to assure Virginia's compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, which deals with the circumstances under which evidence must be presented at trial to comply with the confrontation clause of the U.S. Constitution. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1003 <![CDATA[Statement of Governor Kaine on Recovery of Cook Counseling Center Records of Seung Hui Cho]]> July 22 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine released the following statement today on the recovery of the Cook Counseling Center records of Seung Hui Cho:

"During the course of the investigation in the aftermath of the shootings at Virginia Tech, it was learned that Seung Hui Cho's counseling file from the Cook Counseling Center on the Virginia Tech campus could not be found. The file has now been recovered from the home of a former employee who left the counseling center a number of months before the shooting. There is an investigation under way to determine how the file was removed from the Cook Counseling Center."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1002 <![CDATA[$33.8 Million in Grants to Improve Public Safety is Announced]]> June 26 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced 162 grants worth more than $33 million have been awarded to support programs to improve criminal justice services throughout the Commonwealth.

"These grants will enable localities and state agencies to support new and continuing activities to ensure that our criminal justice system remains effective and responsive," Governor Kaine said. "I am extremely pleased that many of these grants will aid and promote the economic recovery effort in Virginia."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=983 <![CDATA[Governor Signs Legislation on Military and Veterans Issues]]> June 16 — Standing with representatives of the armed services, Governor Timothy M. Kaine ceremonially signed several General Assembly bills providing assistance to military personnel and their families and honoring the Commonwealth's veterans, demonstrating Virginia's continued bipartisan support for active duty service members, Guardsmen and Reservists, veterans and their families.

"Virginia owes a great debt to our men and women who have served in the military," Governor Kaine said. "These bills take important steps toward improving the lives of those who are currently serving our country, and honoring those who have served in the past." ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=976