[{"_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",6458233,"mediaKeyId","5823152-98e5a0c54dce32aebf30bf88d77293e1","parentId",5823152,"title","Committee forwards $250,000 state grant to install public-safety radio repeaters","audioSeconds",35,"startMs",341000,"endMs",376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823152-98e5a0c54dce32aebf30bf88d77293e1&start=341&end=376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823152-98e5a0c54dce32aebf30bf88d77293e1/thumbnail_341000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458233/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-forwards-250000-state-grant-to-install-public-safety-radio-repeaters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458233-fba66d53566459a31867588f64e41860/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156624&Signature=DE2tAYZbtEZg7avaOuhgJK77XqlRUr1l2ot0ABVpZMMNrLF7Y0ri2ez-~Oh6of~gJ8EGEYcXDTCgWw3Gf7z5Q0LTb1JeZqQgvl43uLcAn1kKkFZq09-6lIfCrbMC47KLWnhO6qzvbz9SY3C1rdsU8tATNQ-GYDVNtc6K77xBdszCiAWW8XKj-wqUJAlUK2Xz7zqkfH4sDxb9DzXr~U3j3YdlPSGhXRhs8ksvVaGP-CZtCWACxWkdzCkrfGKIbg6C1nyciX3hE6ZzEuIK9VMy~6rL-3ST9IVCCEC7JNP5ulUvTe9XBNRGu3M~Oq9gL3q4Hjc81zvYcb7I4Drq~nGyfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Richmond City Public Safety Standing Committee voted to forward an ordinance to the full council that would accept $250,000 in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to purchase and install radio repeater equipment.

Jonathan Fetterman, deputy with the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, told the committee “this paper is to authorize the CEO to accept grant funds from the State Homeland Security ... to install radio repeaters, within our public safety radio system for the purpose of enhancing our in building coverage.” When asked how many repeaters would be installed, Fetterman said the project is finalizing details but “it looks like 4 right now.”

No members of the public spoke for or against the ordinance during the public hearing. The committee moved the measure to the full council with a recommendation to approve. Committee votes recorded in the meeting transcript show Councilwoman Aberbacher and Chair Chad Trammell voting “Aye” on the motion.

If approved by council and implemented as written, the measure would create a new FY26 special fund titled the “FY26 SHSP radio repeater special fund” and appropriate the grant for purchase and installation of repeaters.

The ordinance will next appear before the full Richmond City Council for final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Public Safety Standing Committee on 2025-09-23 1:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Safety Standing Committee voted to forward an ordinance accepting $250,000 in State Homeland Security Program funds to install radio repeater equipment intended to improve in‑building radio coverage for first responders.","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},6458223,"Police report mixed crime trends, urge tools to curb weapons and pop‑up party violence in Shockoe Bottom",665,1058000,1723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823152-98e5a0c54dce32aebf30bf88d77293e1&start=1058&end=1723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823152-98e5a0c54dce32aebf30bf88d77293e1/thumbnail_1058000.jpg","/articles/6458223/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Police-report-mixed-crime-trends-urge-tools-to-curb-weapons-and-popup-party-violence-in-Shockoe-Bottom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458223-40a102a8ca07a270e9af08ebb3dbea8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156624&Signature=RTeBsQ7n3ZgEWNT3JF7EENQWTIzPZmjgcerPns6qLjGFYn6zgcY849E87~jC8qtjmiV~OhLdxgEUsStJsBU1K7vuHzislBl-o0jbFZ4M30MfCHuhtQLvxLVDRe8LCcRjCQ~qlyVlPdWNOnsYnzPBMMIf-0-pIeA9v8r8OCNSI2zFF2CoLLDlvqFFjmlsFs9ibbFRJsssvcMpLgdRCArHAcQnHTJ3cfsacgTA7DAGIxruu1Nlv9o~ckoPrh0J9-4y5bRxKDAbaNxVBdCnfdiShSYK4mkzOYAOzrHQpHTNmsVrrzKYtcGstJhazAtZc3QzpMgSRLgDM6975gugVS0atA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Rick Edwards of the Richmond Police Department presented a year‑to‑date crime snapshot and an update on recurring large gatherings in Shockoe Bottom and other city locations.

Edwards said overall violent crime is up 3% year to date but clarified several measures: “We're flat on murders. Aggravated assaults are a bit down. Our nonfatal shootings are down 17%,” he told the committee. Edwards said some of the apparent increase in aggravated domestic assaults stems from a change in reporting: the department now classifies choking and similar acts as aggravated domestic assault.

Property crime trends were more favorable, the chief said: “15% reduction overall. Burglaries are down 34%... Theft for motor vehicles ... is again trending in the right direction.” Edwards attributed part of the motor‑vehicle‑theft decline to security improvements in certain vehicle makes and a department distribution of more than 1,000 wheel locks to Richmond residents who own Hyundais or Kias.

Edwards identified Shockoe Bottom as a recurring site of concern, citing the potential for fights at large, semi‑organized gatherings to escalate into gunfire and describing recent arrests tied to shootings in the area. He said two people — Jordan Gale of Henrico and Amar Hendrickson of Chesterfield — were charged in a shooting that struck a Department of Public Works employee. Edwards also described one person arrested after video showed him pointing a firearm at a marked police cruiser.

The chief said stolen firearms remain a problem but are declining: “Firearms being stolen from vehicles, 12% reduction this year over last year,” he said, while noting that the city's heat map still showed a concentration of stolen firearms in Shockoe Bottom and that the department recorded about 360 stolen firearms in the area referenced.

Council members pressed Edwards on deployments and tools. He said mandatory overtime is used to bolster weekend staffing at Shockoe Bottom, with four officers on Friday nights and four on Saturday nights assigned to overtime details and First Precinct typically providing six to eight on‑duty officers and supervisors. Senior command staff, including the chief, rotate into those details as well.

Edwards discussed non‑enforcement approaches and legislative tools. He said the city has commissioned a VCU study of precinct boundaries and deployment patterns and is transitioning to a new records management system planned for 2026, which is expected to support implementation of boundary changes. The chief and council members discussed the possibility of an entertainment overlay or other zoning approaches and signage to discourage bringing firearms into crowded entertainment districts.

Edwards also noted steps on traffic enforcement and technology: launch of ten red‑light camera locations, the addition of a new officer dedicated to radar enforcement and use of retired part‑time officers to run speed enforcement where council members request it.

Interim Fire Chief Chad Siegel provided an update on Fire Station 21, saying the building is nearly ready for occupancy and that Engine 21 should return to the station before a tentatively scheduled Nov. 10 open house.

Edwards said the department is operating below authorized sworn staffing: “We're at 590 as of today. We're authorized strength at 755.” He described ongoing recruitment challenges for sworn positions despite higher application levels for civilian roles.

Chief Edwards said the department will report finalized third‑quarter crime numbers in October.","Chief Rick Edwards told the committee violent crime is up 3% year‑to‑date while nonfatal shootings are down 17% and property crime is down 15%; he and council members discussed enforcement, legislative tools for entertainment districts, staffing shortfalls and a tentative return of Engine 21 to Station 21.",{"_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},6458228,"Public safety committee delays vote on towing and storage fee increases after members cite short notice",575,458000,1033000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823152-98e5a0c54dce32aebf30bf88d77293e1&start=458&end=1033","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823152-98e5a0c54dce32aebf30bf88d77293e1/thumbnail_458000.jpg","/articles/6458228/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Public-safety-committee-delays-vote-on-towing-and-storage-fee-increases-after-members-cite-short-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458228-119b2963c546fa12f4a25d4e75a91aac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156624&Signature=JYfwaRi-RnE2iGelpHVG38cE7Q-CxzfCgOdOD-zIIty3G2b1ijQXCmo3yrj2Dmt~V8kNLuij180nor4wiJUY2rRlBAPuErf-7BE2f7FlEmTfDy3AqOcwoeDjTpO5A~JHrrKkBOqu1fn17LgDfOfOXn9xCN5X0JBG1-n0Y4zlmApmTJagpHlh5KjYI~KMUyJBYTSh1-Hoi8d~XlSuaZZSWhTVVabbE69DRYkn0r7y68AGufCWDHz~JXpC2jc8yiuZ8oNS4UtBtVPyUyLAUF0q6BX95t7a6uXsF60WC56F39tsx2MGxc5SiRbX~3T5KEUsCmNzQaXdxZ6cvlTngLS0iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Public Safety Standing Committee voted to continue consideration of an ordinance that would amend city code for towing and storage fees related to private‑property tows.

Lynn Lancaster of the Department of General Services told the committee the proposed ordinance (ordinance 20-25-2-22) would update city code section 27‑302 to align private‑property towing and storage fees with state rates. Lancaster said the towing advisory board met on Aug. 7 and recommended the changes. “The state is $2.10, but ours is $1.95. We're increasing from $1.35 to $1.95 as you see in item a,” Lancaster said.

Key provisions the staff presentation identified include raising the trespass towing maximum fee from $1.35 to $1.95 per day, increasing the fee for tows occurring between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. from $25 to $30, raising the maximum overnight storage charge after 24 hours from $45 to $50, increasing the maximum administrative fee from $50 to $75, and capping after‑hours release fees at $35. Lancaster said the state increased its rates effective January 2025 and that private‑property towers requested parity with state rates. She noted that payments to operators must be accepted in cash, certified check, money order or credit card as required by Virginia law.

Several committee members said they received the ordinance less than 24 hours before the meeting and asked for more time to review a measure with fiscal impact to residents. One committee member said the item had been introduced only the previous day, which contributed to the timing. The committee voted to continue the ordinance for 60 days; the continuation will move the item to the Nov. 25 Public Safety Standing Committee meeting. The record shows Councilwoman Abu Bakr and Chair Chad Trammell voting “Aye.”

No members of the public spoke for or against the ordinance at the committee hearing.","Committee continued proposed changes to private-property towing and storage fees for 60 days after members raised concerns about receiving the ordinance with less than the expected notice; the advisory towing board had recommended rate increases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee forwards $250,000 state grant to install public-safety radio repeaters

Police report mixed crime trends, urge tools to curb weapons and pop‑up party violence in Shockoe Bottom

Public safety committee delays vote on towing and storage fee increases after members cite short notice