[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671574,"mediaKeyId","2157824-3f602741dbfa2856a89a7800afe65820","parentId",2157824,"title","Richmond police report drop in violent crime, outline enforcement steps including expanded speed cameras","audioSeconds",877,"startMs",2909000,"endMs",3786000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157824-3f602741dbfa2856a89a7800afe65820&start=2909&end=3786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157824-3f602741dbfa2856a89a7800afe65820/thumbnail_2909000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671574/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-police-report-drop-in-violent-crime-outline-enforcement-steps-including-expanded-speed-cameras","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671574-746c3895268735726c702392a9b22cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020559&Signature=oygkxJfq~WQyIuVTnWMgl0qvxUrI1UfE1t3fHQ9cb6YGxdt-Xn2bsttCaYtmgbYzcAIsNoaFrVAzQTG~H82kNLTrpnE33pEg-4DmURgvBkIholTlUYPm~7nyBptjF9QGaNGYE9dLCLlYA~XurWtSatixYluZ3VGSUEfs6dVASU6oGg3Y4E2TFyyhTbgpdUiErI8o1hkgr0CeFN5LXXcYc8rCvHV7EotMBejti9tri18fMiFaNAxbdLBDRdOMMqYzV5PUj0ztYhHzDYwOW6rZlk4hlk6AUpo-ObYWHhW4hvMO-UADD9k3-mo-twLHiisPOpqCsm~LKkimHAj1XewJ5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards told the Public Safety Standing Committee on the afternoon of the committee meeting that the city’s overall violent crime fell to 967 incidents for the year, below the department’s 10‑year average of 1,150.

Edwards said homicide fell 18%, robberies of commercial businesses fell 20% and individual robberies were down 59% compared with 2014 figures; aggravated assaults were down 2%, producing a 5% reduction overall in violent crime. “This is the first time that we could find in our in over 20 years where Richmond…had under 1,000 violent crimes for the year,” Edwards said.

The chief also reported that the department’s International (IBR) clearance rate for homicides is 88.7% and its year‑to‑date clearance rate is 56.6%, noting the difference reflects cases cleared from prior years. He cautioned nonfatal shootings rose about 5% from last year (200 incidents in the most recent year versus 190 the prior year) while traffic fatalities fell to 17, a 32% reduction from the high of 28 in 2022.

To address vehicle‑related crime and traffic safety, Edwards described several operational steps: continued use of a hot‑spot patrol model in neighborhoods with concentrated gun and vehicle crime; a second expansion of speed cameras (bringing Thomas Jefferson High School and Richmond Technical School of the Arts online); and a grace period that ends Feb. 26, after which citations will be issued. “We are sending out the warnings. The grace period ends February 26th where citations will start being issued,” Edwards said.

Edwards provided a site‑level summary of camera activity and cautioned some sites produce many more mailed warnings and citations than others. He said the department will review camera placement with Public Works and Vision Zero guidance and move units as needed.

The chief described property‑crime trends and prevention measures: a 10% decrease in theft from motor vehicles but 1,872 incidents involved unlocked cars; 540 firearms were reported stolen from vehicles (a 16% drop), and the department seized 124 firearms during a recent buyback. Edwards said the department seized more firearms overall (up about 5%) while seizures of so‑called “auto sears” — devices that convert semiautomatic pistols to fully automatic fire — fell 56%.

Edwards outlined prevention and community programming funded in part by grants: free wheel locks for qualifying Hyundai/Kia owners at precincts and events; distribution of 100 grant‑funded gun safes for residents who cannot afford them; and the third annual gun buyback, which he said removed 124 firearms from circulation. “If it saves 1 child from being injured, it's all worth it,” he said.

On staffing, Edwards said recruiting applications are up 9.6% and the department will graduate a large recruit class in May, but overall sworn staffing remains below authorized levels. He said the department is authorized for 755 sworn positions and its current count is 591; civilian professional staffing is 102 of an authorized 126. Second Precinct is authorized for 97 officers but was operating around 67, he said.

Public comment at the meeting included a neighborhood petition on speeding on Sims Avenue. Resident Mario Brandon said the street had “over 30 something accidents this past year” and urged automated enforcement or mailed citations, saying, “I recommend that we should put something out there, cameras…You send tickets in the mail. It works everywhere else.”

Committee members asked for follow‑up data on speeding citations and staffing for targeted enforcement. Edwards said the department has assigned motorcycle officers dedicated to radar enforcement in high‑priority corridors and that he can provide historical speeding‑citation counts to the committee. “We’re sending officers out there every day to write speeding tickets,” he said.

Why it matters: The presentation combined year‑end crime metrics with operational steps the department plans to use to maintain reductions in violent and vehicle‑related crime. The discussion also tied to resident complaints about speeding and to the city’s planned enforcement and camera deployments.

The committee did not take formal action on the chief’s report during the meeting; members asked for data follow‑ups and for the department to work with Public Works on camera siting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Public Safety Standing Committee on 2025-01-28 1:00 PM - To access the meeting via Microsoft Teams, please use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/PS-JAN28 or dial *67-804-316-9457 and enter ID: 416 373 667#. - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards reported to the Public Safety Standing Committee that the city’s violent crime count fell to 967 last year and outlined a mix of enforcement and prevention steps — including expanded speed cameras, hot‑spot patrols and free wheel‑locks — to maintain the trend.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671565,"Public Safety Standing Committee approves minutes, forwards towing‑board appointments and City Hall radio lease ordinance to full council",180,2593000,2773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157824-3f602741dbfa2856a89a7800afe65820&start=2593&end=2773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157824-3f602741dbfa2856a89a7800afe65820/thumbnail_2593000.jpg","/articles/6671565/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Public-Safety-Standing-Committee-approves-minutes-forwards-towingboard-appointments-and-City-Hall-radio-lease-ordinance-to-full-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671565-130419a94cdc5d1f2a07f6329171b230/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020559&Signature=mGgZnVElThUpFCKCAOCAk-8vWi0OPYy3M4sC2F9kHphrt0BH6g8WkCxXiaVkOQHMTfP6Uox9Miy3dlWdZSVUfPkXZGk4bMPX-AUTBrBP3~yxjnGCtSdvV71guBvi3KuADJP5VPzSh2PSSGlECd3Fni6ZDjcvlfmVTubPpribXuvGebUvf7LlbnAXlT92k~JT1jQ0P5NqAfLeYPTKKJnkNGsYnyUTmJ0RfrBRMqMhQaGTpCZQr3XUR8WwD7L~wqPPRwPdeGDUSfrM~mlG6hLkVVP8mCByRZ0TkbEFsfqsSSf-a3wcXhmL2VGlGn~xq0eG-So467D8JJmwkW4kBEXYmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Safety Standing Committee approved the Oct. 22, 2024 meeting minutes as presented and voted to forward two advisory‑board applications and one ordinance to the full City Council with recommendations.

Appointments: Pamela Nichols, council management analyst, presented the board vacancy packet for the Advisory Board for the Assessment of Towing Fees and the Storage of Vehicles. The committee noted one vacancy for a police‑department representative and one vacancy for a towing and recovery operator. A reappointment application was presented for Lieutenant Johnny McRory II for the police‑department representative seat, and an application from Aban Thomas was presented for the towing‑and‑recovery‑operator seat.

The committee moved and seconded the board recommendations and voted to forward “the board recommendations as stated to council with the recommendation to approve.” The vote was recorded as Member Aberbacher — Aye; Chairwoman Trammell — Aye. The committee’s clerk recorded the motion as approved.

Ordinance 2024‑306: Jackie Krotz of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources described Ordinance 2024‑306, which would authorize the CAO to execute a lease between the city and the National Park Service to maintain and operate radio communications equipment on and within City Hall at 900 East Broad Street. Krotz said the lease would bring $12,000 in annual revenue to the city.

The committee held a public hearing (no speakers for or against were present) and then voted to forward Ordinance 2024‑306 to council with a recommendation to approve. The vote was recorded as Member Abubaca (recorded in the transcript; consistent voting members were Member Aberbacher) — Aye; Chairwoman Trammell — Aye.

Votes at a glance:
- Minutes (Oct. 22, 2024): Approved as presented (no roll call recorded).
- Advisory Board appointments (Lieutenant Johnny McRory II reappointment; Aban Thomas application for towing operator): Motion to forward to council with recommendation to approve — Outcome: approved; recorded votes: Member Aberbacher (Aye); Chairwoman Trammell (Aye).
- Ordinance 2024‑306 (lease with National Park Service for radio equipment at City Hall): Motion to forward to council with recommendation to approve — Outcome: approved; recorded votes: Member Aberbacher (Aye); Chairwoman Trammell (Aye).

Why it matters: The forwarded appointments fill advisory‑board seats that advise towing‑fee and vehicle‑storage policy. Ordinance 2024‑306 creates a revenue stream for the city through a lease with the National Park Service for rooftop radio equipment at City Hall.

Committee members thanked staff and volunteers for recruitment efforts; no amendments were made to the items forwarded to council.","The committee approved previous meeting minutes and voted to forward a police‑department reappointment and a towing‑operator appointment, and it voted to send Ordinance 2024‑306 — a lease with the National Park Service for radio equipment on City Hall — to full council with a recommendation to approve.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671570,"City hires Hagerty for winter‑storm response assessment and recovery planning after water‑plant outage; council member faults communications",589,4251000,4840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157824-3f602741dbfa2856a89a7800afe65820&start=4251&end=4840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157824-3f602741dbfa2856a89a7800afe65820/thumbnail_4251000.jpg","/articles/6671570/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/City-hires-Hagerty-for-winterstorm-response-assessment-and-recovery-planning-after-waterplant-outage-council-member-faults-communications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671570-241736f35a602b099c5e71ce745f4737/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020559&Signature=Pcb2b6tA92obj8ZE2NqmURswx6yPQLRiwT5QoLFrn1GLPRdbdv5i8WhbYDeLTl8VspPmsvDaH9JP1aSJfTrppPCzcdttJztJNgKlHjj6VjcIv-Jx50s-6lynDgQXk429gFrcq5VQ9ZrNZ18DsSWeUnmPsC5di~d7ZUqTzkCIWlC7LxCBmHOG3LbvXS~4qJqLMxB8Hw7rW6uK5rNEky~p0ulqVMckkwhriwnrlKIclxbTmQNXCBOurE4swzltjOOayVjifSDe4NwrFETV80WzTxgM0FfaqiSUicuh6HvhxS7ukhGW~R0MLFK-JCO8vQzcMFhCuZ1cue4c0BbJauiPlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steven Willoughby, director of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response and the city’s emergency coordinator, told the Public Safety Standing Committee that the city activated an emergency operations center (EOC) after a January winter storm and a water‑treatment plant power outage on Jan. 6 that led to a boil‑water advisory and a citywide water distribution effort.

“On January 6, that's when the water treatment plant power plant had a power outage and begins to flood. At that point, we changed the posturing of the emergency operations center from a virtual environment to a full activation,” Willoughby said.

Willoughby said inclement‑weather sheltering began Jan. 3 and that the boil‑water advisory and water distribution started the evening of Jan. 6. He said the EOC shifted from full activation to monitoring Jan. 11, and city operations largely returned to normal around Jan. 13.

To guide recovery and capture reimbursable costs, Willoughby said the city engaged Hagerty Consulting to perform an incident response assessment, help staff the EOC during the response and prepare a post‑disaster recovery plan, an incident‑specific 2025 winter‑storm annex and a cost‑recovery plan.

Imar (Eimar) Marina Mazza, project manager and senior managing associate for Hagerty, described the three deliverables: a citywide disaster recovery plan (a general framework), an annex with tactical guidance specific to the winter storm and a cost‑recovery plan to identify potentially reimbursable expenses and document damage assessments.

Mazza said the team will review existing city documentation, run public and stakeholder surveys, and run working sessions with recovery support function groups — housing, infrastructure, community needs — to produce plans that city departments can use in future incidents. “The idea is that they become tactical tools that you all can pull out in the case of a disaster to recover from that event,” she said.

Council members pressed Willoughby about the timeline, notification systems and coordination. Committee Chairwoman Trammell voiced sharp dissatisfaction, saying residents in her district did not receive adequate or timely notice and that council members were not invited into early response briefings. “You let us down in the city of Richmond,” she said, recounting numerous constituent calls about delayed or missing messages and bottle or pallet distributions that reached some neighborhoods later than others. She described personally distributing water to seniors and coordinating with police officers to reach residents who could not travel to distribution sites.

Willoughby acknowledged the city’s previous alert system failed to reach many residents and said the replacement Richmond Ready alert system will go live Feb. 3. He said the city intends to use the new system for both emergency mass‑notifications and recurring, localized service alerts to test readiness. “We were having challenges with our old system. That's the system that's being replaced...the timing is just really horrible with that,” Willoughby said.

Willoughby and Hagerty said the incident‑assessment work will identify strengths and weaknesses in the city’s response and provide recommendations, including communications improvements and cost‑capture procedures for potential state or federal reimbursement.

Why it matters: A prolonged water outage and boil‑water advisory affected residents, hospitals and businesses across Richmond. The committee’s review and Hagerty’s work will shape how the city documents costs, coordinates cross‑department recovery and communicates with residents in future incidents.

Committee members asked that the consultant include communications improvements, stakeholder outreach and precise cost‑recovery steps in the deliverables.","City emergency management and consultant Hagerty Consulting are developing a disaster recovery plan and an incident‑specific annex after a winter storm and water‑treatment plant outage; the committee heard a detailed timeline of response and sustained criticism from a committee member who said residents lacked timely notice and assistance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richmond police report drop in violent crime, outline enforcement steps including expanded speed cameras

Public Safety Standing Committee approves minutes, forwards towing‑board appointments and City Hall radio lease ordinance to full council

City hires Hagerty for winter‑storm response assessment and recovery planning after water‑plant outage; council member faults communications