[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6671555,"mediaKeyId","2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f","parentId",2157831,"title","Emergency management outlines post‑storm water response and launches third‑party recovery planning with Hagerty","audioSeconds",591,"startMs",1986000,"endMs",2577000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f&start=1986&end=2577","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f/thumbnail_1986000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671555/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Emergency-management-outlines-poststorm-water-response-and-launches-thirdparty-recovery-planning-with-Hagerty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671555-f1f4415b7c6d74a5a8fe061fbafa0f72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101266&Signature=gMi0pT9DBRT3nrud4AWcZ3xPaj~t4-M4UN1a8AU3z5ugeBQ-m2IRzrjtFe~fvrC21qGOoFlH7hzkSiMeT--frlEyNtn6vrLKqshr-AktAvIkujvraNcVU3KBAg8bXk4HvEdMDrPUEtOSmNwn0cxV09jGT7cIjPY3S1RPGqmJRDTdp9RZxrXhekVZ10Ec5242ZU0bvXcWAfpVaHAXTKEyOMEJUzhHiA9CFrjjToRK9QJCIRpjzak0nqxhqOi9EXDqRb0Cz2QNmOJ-hoF7RH-4qOPkPYAoP-dXheHgS3wtYXE7ogJ3vCjJwpWUiYFgJnpbnss-ijWW~4F9CM5ZLwLwVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Stephen Willoughby, director of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response and city emergency management coordinator, briefed the Public Safety Standing Committee on the city’s response to a winter storm that prompted a state declaration and a boil‑water advisory after the water treatment plant lost power and flooded.

Willoughby said the city activated its emergency operations center, opened inclement‑weather sheltering and began water distribution the evening the plant lost power. The boil‑water advisory was activated January 6, Willoughby said, and lifted on Jan. 11; the Office of Emergency Management shifted the EOC from full activation to monitoring and then toward normal operations over the following week.

Willoughby said the Office of Emergency Management has four staff and that the city engaged Hagerty Consulting to assist with an incident response assessment and to develop a post‑disaster recovery plan. Hagerty’s project manager, Aymar Marino Mazza, told the committee the planned deliverables include a citywide disaster recovery plan framework, an incident‑specific annex for the 2025 winter storm, and a cost‑recovery plan to help document expenses and pursue reimbursement where eligible.

Mazza said the planning process will review existing documentation and practices, conduct stakeholder interviews and a public needs survey, convene an advisory group and working groups (organized by recovery support functions such as housing or critical infrastructure), and validate draft plans with city leaders and implementers. She said Hagerty’s team would also help the city identify potentially reimbursable costs and advise on documentation for cost‑recovery requests.

During committee questions, council members criticized the timeliness of public notification early in the incident and raised concerns about 311 access during the emergency. One council member said residents — particularly seniors — reported not receiving timely alerts and described personally coordinating water deliveries to vulnerable constituents. Willoughby acknowledged problems with the city’s older mass‑notification system and said a new Richmond Ready Alert system is scheduled to go live Feb. 3; he said the new system will allow targeted cell‑phone alerts and routine use to ensure readiness.

Willoughby said Hagerty’s work is focused on the city’s response and recovery planning, not on the technical investigation into the water plant failure. He told the committee Hagerty began by providing emergency operations center staffing support and stakeholder outreach and will next develop the recovery plan and an incident assessment. Committee members were invited to participate in interviews and a citywide survey to inform the recovery plan.

Clarifying details: the Office of Emergency Management has four staff; Hagerty began immediate support for EOC staffing and is preparing an incident response assessment, a post‑disaster recovery action plan for the winter storm, and a cost‑recovery plan. Willoughby said the boil‑water advisory began Jan. 6 and was lifted Jan. 11; the Richmond Ready Alert system is scheduled to go live Feb. 3.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting - January 28, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Stephen Willoughby and consultants from Hagerty Consulting described the city’s timeline for the January winter storm, activation of the emergency operations center, boil‑water advisory and water distribution, and an incident response assessment and post‑disaster recovery plan to be developed with community input.","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},6671559,"Richmond police chief reports drop in violent crime to under 1,000 for 2024; calls for continued enforcement and community measures",784,668000,1452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f&start=668&end=1452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f/thumbnail_668000.jpg","/articles/6671559/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-police-chief-reports-drop-in-violent-crime-to-under-1000-for-2024-calls-for-continued-enforcement-and-community-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671559-40998b3913d7653cd5a92d9e150d5351/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101266&Signature=Q04A-7SDgdIOa5LsqbigMpBh6mQUP9mQCGoo58RHZS1wGmd1HWoUTs6nwwCzKctWAIwFkY5oyLZfhiyJN0LGb0xQX6KEBVtbRZzSfSVOHv59o4g612l6zNs1V-Tuc5FulndR0m4ZBSLOaEDG-XcGDSoidOXoxruIP8KJIZoay8sxjFLADnqulcwVY0AU8h33on9Y~V6ck-w9USIQN~UvTRvLzD3M-gIq2Ls9~kGglgiKaKUsMw5llVrk2t4Sn3VRiqmc1E2biEP8TiY7AvzqHGvnCd-Zd70a7AHMWMDyM1cM2IFadAUf2L041Rw~oi-lVLdWC0RzMW1Ux6j5zsu4bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Rick Edwards presented the Richmond Police Department’s 2024 year‑end crime statistics to the Public Safety Standing Committee, highlighting several multi‑year trends and new or expanded response tools.

Edwards said Richmond recorded 967 violent crimes in 2024, below the city’s 10‑year average of 1,150 and, he said, the first time in more than 20 years the city recorded fewer than 1,000 violent crimes. Homicides for the year were 53, below a 10‑year average of 60, and Edwards described the department’s homicide clearance figures: a year‑to‑date clearance rate of 56.6% and an IBR (Uniform Crime Reporting/Incident‑Based Reporting) clearance rate of 88.7%, the latter of which Edwards said includes cases cleared in subsequent years.

Edwards said individual robberies are one of the largest areas of violent‑crime reduction — he contrasted 2014’s 427 individual robberies with 173 in 2024 and described targeted “hot‑spot” policing and technology‑assisted arrests. Nonfatal shootings rose slightly to 200 in 2024 after a prior drop; Edwards said the city reached a high of 257 in 2022.

Edwards warned about thefts of firearms from unlocked vehicles: 540 firearms were stolen last year, he said, and those stolen weapons are often used in violent incidents. He said motor vehicle theft and attempted theft remain elevated even as the city saw a 6% reduction in motor vehicle thefts from the prior year; the department counted 1,469 motor vehicle thefts and attempted thefts in 2024 and said roughly two‑thirds of incidents involved unlocked vehicles.

The chief outlined several operational programs and trends: the city’s safety camera expansion (new sites including Thomas Jefferson High School and Richmond Technical School of the Arts), a grace period for warnings that Edwards said ends Feb. 26 before citations begin, a free wheel‑lock program for certain Hyundai and Kia owners who are city residents, 124 firearms collected at a recent gun buyback, and distribution of 100 grant‑funded gun safes for residents in need.

On staffing, Edwards said precinct authorizations and actual staffing levels differ by precinct; he said the 2nd Precinct is authorized for 97 officers and currently has about 67 or 68 assigned. He also said the homicide unit is authorized for 16 detectives and had one vacancy at the time of the presentation.

Committee members pressed Edwards on speed‑enforcement data and the placement or movement of speed cameras; Edwards said the city will analyze camera performance, coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Vision Zero guidance, and redistribute cameras as needed. He also said the department has created enforcement capacity such as motorcycle officers dedicated to radar enforcement and that he can provide comparative data on speeding citations versus prior years.

Edwards framed many of the improvements as the product of law enforcement, legislative changes (he cited lobbying that contributed to a state law criminalizing “auto sears” devices), and community programs. “We were able to solve … we cleared 14 previous year homicides, including one from 1998,” he told the committee. He said the department will continue targeted operations at hot spots and work with partners to address repeat patterns of theft and violent crime.

The presentation included maps and breakdowns by neighborhood; committee members used the discussion to cite resident concerns about speeding on corridors including Walmsley Boulevard and Forest Hill Avenue and requested additional data and follow‑up from the chief.","Chief Rick Edwards told the Public Safety Standing Committee that Richmond recorded 967 violent crimes in 2024—below 1,000 for the first time in more than 20 years—and outlined reductions in homicides and some robberies while noting continued challenges with nonfatal shootings and motor vehicle thefts.",{"_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},6671564,"Public safety committee forwards ordinance to lease rooftop radio space to National Park Service, citing $12,000 annual revenue",109,505000,614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f&start=505&end=614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f/thumbnail_505000.jpg","/articles/6671564/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Public-safety-committee-forwards-ordinance-to-lease-rooftop-radio-space-to-National-Park-Service-citing-12000-annual-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671564-84b9c6c3162694b389ff637f557ff910/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101266&Signature=VzssZewunz8yvyHDu9GDCLGUAeERZRfVsulDcUXvbnfifDUqVE1HZHGtOEavRD19W4km4do4O1eW0hT2Iq4cc3dO6fOOJ~ssa0hi-2sOlF56B8DxdviFHPNne8Dk4uP2k7QwiqF~nI~CW0By7L1TMpJbQvT3hBh1mzDKx~R~MPcPJhUTYTC1QNeM7N2frQ7gkTO1oPOCJvDhZulyWr859SQGftePouWPHCsza1r9DFQwOA6CvN2VROApOuVz7G4MhBaHIRbaO7dNyZTPIDJk7YEOPQHWWSDPaS9U8hfxhTcX4MDev5pHzhsAZGNUegcii1gllR3tQEfzTpGe6WMOMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackie Crotz of the Department of Community Planning and Recreation presented Ordinance 2024‑306, a proposed lease authorizing the chief administrative officer to execute an agreement with the National Park Service to maintain and operate radio communications equipment “on and within” City Hall. Crotz said the lease would bring $12,000 in revenue to the city each year.

No members of the public spoke in support or opposition during the public hearing. Committee members moved and seconded forwarding Ordinance 2024‑306 to full council with a recommendation to approve. The committee recorded Member Abubakar (Aye) and Chairwoman Trammell (Aye); the motion carried.

Crotz told the committee the lease provided the city with revenue and did not require a city payment. Committee discussion did not identify additional terms in the ordinance at the meeting; members asked for forwarding to full council for final approval.

Clarifying details: the lease concerns radio equipment maintained by the National Park Service at City Hall (900 East Broad Street), staff reported $12,000 in annual revenue, and the committee forwarded the ordinance to council with a recommendation to approve. The public hearing produced no speakers and no recorded opposition.","The committee voted to forward Ordinance 2024‑306 to full council with a recommendation to approve a lease allowing the National Park Service to maintain radio communications equipment at City Hall, a staff member said the arrangement will bring $12,000 in annual revenue.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671568,"Committee forwards towing‑fees advisory board appointments — reappointment and new applicant recommended to council",175,387000,562000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f&start=387&end=562","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f/thumbnail_387000.jpg","/articles/6671568/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-forwards-towingfees-advisory-board-appointments-reappointment-and-new-applicant-recommended-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671568-03a92eaaa741231d19d181f85f261a87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101266&Signature=GADov338EJfzsOuQGSXkVO~XPe009UWJmmGYfD8sCzwY1wVJKNof70VLxjKeHG7DsJJM6eYEoqaNfM0kFptyhQR00ol1YXbMmIAI0dLEVs3raIdoWV2G1jLlquTics-Zu1-WqV8XE9U6XCilrZYHcTwl2brRV0GINs9TQ1jckPqgixslKhnU7RFPlAo-7SVLYFTx0DWMROkG8-TLBmUAlG7sEJPpEAy5THVMCvrtSVXZmE6V5YFNnejCg97mUaQStVCPYghaJV9fIuc~SteCs0~vbCf0DZ4K~uCIUXxdDnpo9LiuiSgLYchdilE4ioivJYXxnEbQlsSg0ldKYeZi5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, presented applications for two vacancies on the Advisory Board for the Assessment of Towing Fees and the Storage of Vehicles. Nichols said the board has one vacancy designated for a police‑department representative and had received a reappointment application from Lieutenant Johnny McRory II; the city also received an application from Aban Thomas to fill the towing and recovery operator seat vacated by a resignation.

Nichols summarized the applications and recommended forwarding both names to full council. Committee members moved, seconded and voted to forward the recommendations to council with a recommendation to approve; the roll call recorded Member Applebaum (Aye) and Chairwoman Trammell (Aye), and the motion was approved by the committee.

No public commenters spoke on the item during the meeting. The committee’s action was procedural: it forwarded the appointments to council for final confirmation rather than making direct appointments at the committee level.

Clarifying details: the advisory board concerns towing‑fee assessments and vehicle storage; Lieutenant Johnny McRory II submitted a reappointment application; Aban Thomas applied to fill a towing and recovery operator vacancy resulting from a resignation. The committee recorded a motion to forward the recommendations to council and the committee vote was recorded as “Aye” by Member Applebaum and Chair Trammell.","The Public Safety Standing Committee voted to forward recommendations to council to reappoint Lieutenant Johnny McRory II as the police‑department representative and to consider Aban Thomas for the towing and recovery operator seat.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671571,"Richmond resident brings 200-plus petition signatures asking committee for cameras on Sims Avenue after series of crashes",249,105000,354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f&start=105&end=354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157831-0de92a3b6087cc44b3fd53fc4b90937f/thumbnail_105000.jpg","/articles/6671571/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-resident-brings-200-plus-petition-signatures-asking-committee-for-cameras-on-Sims-Avenue-after-series-of-crashes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671571-494303a5ad1b120913f79ba953689489/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101266&Signature=GqWT4-JmhTEw7sCiNk1D2Rk2tRr0Z0GgpR2nbVAx1dX8pOSmv4lmSgvwWA~gQeBKtBSb3zYOiA0xEk9-t~LyNC-PQRcw~lteXj-8oKIwWXDsOVPfeb3Ou4RmlFWY-SqK1iZffOI0-jsS1ia5N0YcFG1Ovdg0v0CBEbLp8MhGs~RRDuQHwwsIAo8SSNy9zJ0kxa637b9l~fBday11d~ILlJZlNqYuHxE1SyKowcCSoR9XX6Ge9~gjvx8qaVqminT-n5ZWknmb2p3k2DPf5DT~91hQmuynowm830e~KSUVQJCUR3tDuPFXQrRhBN~Z~APrpiddTDKKAF25HOmzb0VNbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mario Brandon, a Richmond resident, told the Public Safety Standing Committee that Sims Avenue has seen “over 30 something accidents this past year” and presented more than 200 petition signatures asking the city to install automated speed-enforcement cameras and mail citations to violators.

Brandon said the most recent crash almost reached his home. “The wheel, the axle came off the car,” he said, describing an incident that left bystanders shouting to warn him. He urged the committee to act “ASAP” and said residents were frustrated by repeated promises that no action had yet produced results.

The petition asks for automated cameras that would issue tickets by mail; Brandon said he understood speed bumps were not feasible for the corridor. He also invoked a past fatality involving a former Huguenot High School student as part of the urgency behind the neighbors’ request.

Committee members accepted Brandon’s packet of petitions and indicated city staff and public safety leadership would follow up; a committee member noted the police chief was present and could speak with Brandon after the meeting. The comment appeared during the public comment period and did not trigger a committee vote or formal direction recorded in the minutes.

The presentation took place during the meeting’s public comment period and the committee did not adopt any immediate changes to traffic engineering or enforcement at the meeting. Committee members later discussed speed-camera siting and enforcement during the police chief’s presentation, including the city’s expanding safety camera program and a grace period before citations begin.

Clarifying details from the public comment: the petitioner reported “over 30” crashes on Sims Avenue in the past year; the petition packet contains more than 200 signatures and written comments; the petitioner requested automated cameras and mailed citations as a remedy; he stated that speed bumps are not possible on that street.

The committee did not make a formal decision on Sims Avenue at the meeting; staff follow-up was indicated.","At the Public Safety Standing Committee meeting, resident Mario Brandon presented petitions from more than 200 neighbors asking the city to install automated enforcement cameras on Sims Avenue after “over 30” crashes in the last year, including one that nearly struck him.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Emergency management outlines post‑storm water response and launches third‑party recovery planning with Hagerty

Richmond police chief reports drop in violent crime to under 1,000 for 2024; calls for continued enforcement and community measures

Public safety committee forwards ordinance to lease rooftop radio space to National Park Service, citing $12,000 annual revenue

Committee forwards towing‑fees advisory board appointments — reappointment and new applicant recommended to council

Richmond resident brings 200-plus petition signatures asking committee for cameras on Sims Avenue after series of crashes