NORFOLK, Va. — On Tuesday, Norfolk City Council members unanimously approved a $25,000 grant offering protection for individuals who witness a violent crime at a Tuesday meeting. Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi attended the meeting and applauded the council’s approval of the Witness Protection Grant Program.
“Norfolk is one of the first places where we’re going to be able to offer these services to our citizens,” Fatehi said.
The grant comes after Virginia lawmakers approved a budget in September 2023 that offers funding to protect witnesses. The Witness Protection Grant Program, which takes effect immediately in Norfolk, is designed to combat witness intimidation and reduce instances of violent crime in Norfolk.
Fatehi hopes the grant program will combat witness intimidation. As an example, in 2022, a deadly shooting outside of Chicho’s Pizza Backstage in downtown Norfolk claimed the lives of Sierra Jenkins, Malik Harris and Marquel Andrews.
The man Norfolk police arrested for the crime was able to walk out of court a free man that year after witnesses failed to testify.
Fatehi says a witness protection program may have encouraged them to come forward.
“There’s no way to know. I certainly know it wouldn’t hurt,” said Fatehi.
The Commonwealth's Attorney said the program would offer hotel accommodations, security, and more for witnesses.
“The basic things are to make them feel secure in their homes or get out of a situation that’s dangerous temporarily until things are better,” said Fatehi.
Fatehi offered a message of support to those who have witnessed a violent crime.
“We hear you. Witnesses, we hear you. I will do everything in my power as a Commonwealth Attorney in Norfolk to protect the people who want us to resolve crimes and resolve problems in the courts and not in the streets. Whatever I can do, I will do,” said Fatehi.
The program only covers victims of violent crime and not white-collar crime, Fatehi said. Additionally, Fatehi said there is no statute of limitations on violent crimes, and anyone can report them to the Commonwealth's Attorney's office.