The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO) will host a community cleanup event in partnership with Lynnhaven River NOW on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 9 a.m. along a bike path at Crusader Circle, highlighting a VBSO Inmate Workforce program focused on litter removal and environmental stewardship.
Through this initiative, low-risk workforce inmates — under deputy supervision — are assisting with litter removal in areas where debris can easily enter storm drains and local waterways, supporting long-term efforts to protect Virginia Beach’s natural resources.
“This is about being good stewards of our community and using our resources in a way that truly makes a difference,” said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb. “By shifting our Inmate Workforce from mowing medians to removing litter, we’re improving our neighborhoods, protecting our waterways and giving inmates meaningful work that benefits the entire city.”
The community cleanup is open to the public.
A smarter use of the Inmate Workforce
The VBSO last year transitioned away from its former median-mowing program after a City of Virginia Beach audit showed supervision and equipment costs outweighed the revenue generated by the contract. Instead, mowing services are now handled by other city departments and private contractors.
This change allows the Inmate Workforce program to focus on projects that require less equipment while producing greater community impact.
“We’re finding better ways to use inmate labor — more bang for the buck,” Holcomb said. “This approach allows us to stretch taxpayer dollars while still holding inmates accountable and giving them an opportunity to contribute positively.”
Environmental impact already underway
Since tracking began on April 16, 2025, the program has expanded from three to six daytime workforce inmates and has already produced measurable results:
- 1,704.5 labor hours completed (coming in at $20,454)
- Nearly 49,705 pounds of litter removed.
Cleanup efforts have focused on high-impact areas near trash transfer stations and the city dump, including Virginia Beach Boulevard/Laskin Road, Concert Drive/Princess Anne Road, and Centerville Turnpike/Jake Sears Road, as well as areas along Dam Neck Road and General Booth Boulevard.
A shared commitment to clean waterways
Lynnhaven River NOW works alongside residents, businesses, faith communities, schools and civic leaders to restore and protect Virginia Beach waterways — resources that support local seafood, recreation, water cleanliness and quality of life.
“Every piece of litter removed is one less item that can make its way into our waterways,” said Cristin Pullman, Lynnhaven River NOW’s Community Outreach Manager. “Partnerships like this show what’s possible when community organizations and public safety agencies work together toward a shared goal of clean, healthy waterways for future generations.”
By combining environmental advocacy with community service, the partnership demonstrates how collaborative solutions can create meaningful and lasting impact across Virginia Beach.
Additional Inmate Workforce projects — including park cleanup, painting and maintenance of municipal properties — will continue throughout the city.
Media contact: Public Information Officer Toni Guagenti at tguagenti@vbso.net , 757-385-8446 or 757-373-5012.
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