Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania shared insights on local efforts to prevent crime and ensure public safety on Morning News. Platania highlighted the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a program designed to address potential criminal behavior proactively. “The prevention of crime is far more important than the punishment of criminals,” Platania said, quoting the brother of Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis. He emphasized the program’s focus on providing services like mental health support, job training, and substance use treatment to individuals at risk of making poor decisions.  

Platania further stressed the importance of holding violent offenders accountable while focusing on preventative measures. “If someone commits an act of violence with a firearm, they’re going to be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted,” he stated, adding that the goal remains to address crime before it escalates to violence. He explained that while a small group of individuals commits repeated offenses, building solid cases with admissible evidence and cooperative witnesses is often challenging but critical. 

Platania also acknowledged the balance between protecting victims and ensuring the fair treatment of offenders, a principle he frequently discusses. Platania reiterated the importance of constitutional protections and building strong cases that uphold the high standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. He remains optimistic about the community’s collaborative efforts to reduce crime and foster safer neighborhoods through programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods. 

Listen here for the full conversation: