[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6458232,"mediaKeyId","5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6","parentId",5823151,"title","Police report shows mixed crime trends, targeted enforcement at Shockoe Bottom","audioSeconds",316,"startMs",850000,"endMs",1166000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6&start=850&end=1166","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6/thumbnail_850000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458232/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Police-report-shows-mixed-crime-trends-targeted-enforcement-at-Shockoe-Bottom","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458232-fab5ebc0da3bb20c2a24c4fcdfc368e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175024&Signature=F91QW4E3gxv6s6N8x0zCdE-wX3PSbc2X4d3NLewzrAf0O08bfvOafBmkHKKEn7DjVenROwsIfLTs8dk-TDvWgav3nkhxIX0xCKh2Q7ihcXonw5l6YQsZzfIiemuKyhgUKGMWaU1XilD4Esmow2-qoWUC2Lx~Bbme4nw7BiA6SxFi18FN0tMX4DbnwsiBN9IPhixcyQLjtuVjLKICaGd3lceSJgY-3uUij-x3tvb0FxIq4Of8nGeOA7jZefwDVQGnxFYSAHRGYynPj83pdE5g80VO5Gm6V65okNjnsxvSCCB~imYvy9YDCFU5mkmkJIW0C7leW7YIUOhk4LkWUnm48A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Chief Rick Edwards presented a year‑to‑date crime snapshot and an update on enforcement activity in Shockoe Bottom and other locations of pop‑up parties.

Edwards said overall violent crime was up 3% but homicide numbers were flat and nonfatal shootings were down 17%. He told the committee the apparent increase in aggravated domestic assaults is a reporting change: “We have transitioned from reporting. So there's the same amount of aggravated assault domestics as simple assault domestics. We have shifted the reporting to reflect that when a victim of domestic violence is choked or grabbed by the throat...we are counting that now as an aggravated domestic assault.” Edwards said the change reflects direction to officers, not necessarily an increase in incidents.

On property crime, Edwards reported a 15% reduction overall and larger declines in specific categories: burglaries down 34% and reductions in motor vehicle thefts. He said distribution of more than a thousand wheel locks to owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles likely contributed to the drop in thefts of those makes.

Edwards addressed concerns about large gatherings in Shockoe Bottom and related open‑carry behavior and firearms incidents. He described arrests linked to shootings and other incidents: two individuals (identified in the presentation as Jordan Gale of Henrico and Amar Hendrickson of Chesterfield) were charged in a shooting that struck a Department of Public Works employee, who is recovering; another arrest involved an individual seen on phone video pointing a firearm at a marked cruiser. Edwards said firearms stolen from vehicles have declined 12% year over year but noted the department still records a concentrated number of thefts from vehicles in Shockoe Bottom (the presentation cited 360 firearms stolen from vehicles in that hot spot).

On enforcement resources, Edwards said the department has mandated overtime for Shockoe Bottom shifts, with four officers on Friday nights and four on Saturday nights assigned via overtime; the First Precinct often provides six to eight on‑duty officers and supervisors for those shifts. He noted the department is about 20% down in sworn staffing, giving a figure of 590 officers on duty against an authorized strength of 755: “We're at 5 90 as of today. We're authorized strength to 7 55.” He said a VCU study is informing precinct boundary recommendations and that a new records management system is targeted for 2026 or 2027 to support implementation.

Edwards discussed policy tools to reduce armed gatherings, suggesting the city consider an entertainment overlay district or other zoning tools and signage to discourage bringing firearms into concentrated nightlife districts. “We want you to come to our city. We want you to enjoy the great restaurants we have and the and the nightlife, but leave your guns at home, and we'll provide the security,” he said.

Committee members asked about speed enforcement, red‑light cameras and additional traffic enforcement resources; Edwards said the city is preparing to activate 10 red‑light camera locations and has hired additional part‑time retired officers to operate radar enforcement in response to council complaints.

Why it matters: the presentation detailed both operational enforcement steps and data shifts caused by reporting changes; it also highlighted resource constraints (staffing shortfall) and possible policy options to address armed gatherings in nightlife districts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting - September 23, 2025 at 1:00 P.M.","oneSentenceSummary","Richmond Police presented year‑to‑date crime data showing an overall 3% increase in violent crime but declines in nonfatal shootings (down 17%) and several property‑crime categories; the department described enforcement and reporting changes focused on Shockoe Bottom pop‑up parties and firearm thefts from vehicles.","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},6458236,"Committee continues towing‑fee ordinance after questions about notice and rate changes",615,223000,838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6&start=223&end=838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6/thumbnail_223000.jpg","/articles/6458236/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-continues-towingfee-ordinance-after-questions-about-notice-and-rate-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458236-29e0fcad4b4351cd76fd401019f2186d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175024&Signature=TXJkRvd76rn6kRqbpPhCGFY8Dlmupb1qA4Jh6Z8RWIMWpyQN5fU6lX8KdCxHmRk-KO~i9hwW9hV2np4a2~mSSwwBGq8UKW1tEp04ccBb86AIBQuQhWdKyqbS~5ZiLuhHZDaXQrK4qArBEVSsSpXVTMVttiam-gI7yEYgZfuhhGg1eBFuigoTrvALNWPgUVXCs7K707PjSryYItorc7b13FKp9OgmeoGTNQnd62l2IcHatRQ8xAPFpHK281WGMBnirCUXsydp44mpgZovfJ4e24mTI31hv0Samvq9ov06t0ZbmIFdbg~Jd0za~HIDVdVOJVTy2w0NKT1HwFd1L3uNag__&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 charged when vehicles are removed from private property. Committee members said they received the proposal with less than the committee’s usual notice and requested more time to review the fiscal impacts.

Lynn Lancaster, General Services, presented the paper and described the proposed changes. Lancaster said the towing and storage rates had not been increased for seven years and that the state increased its rates effective January 2025. Lancaster summarized the key numeric changes: “We’re increasing from $1.35 to $1.95” for the cited fee (private‑property trespass fee), the after‑hours tow fee would increase from $25 to $30 for tows occurring between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m., the 24‑hour overnight storage maximum would move from $45 to $50, and the maximum administrative fee for vehicles held over 72 hours would increase from $50 to $75. Lancaster also summarized an after‑hours release fee “not [to] exceed $35.”

Lancaster said the towing advisory board met on Aug. 7 and recommended the proposed code amendments. She said private‑property towers had sought parity with the state rate (the state rate cited in the presentation was $2.10) but the advisory board recommended $1.95.

Committee members raised procedural and policy questions. One member said the committee received the paper less than 24 hours before the meeting and asked the administration to provide committee materials earlier. Members asked whether the increased fees would go to the city or to private operators; Lancaster said the fees “all goes to the operators. This has nothing to do with the city's contract with Cybert. This is totally different. This is private prop tows from private property.” The presenter also said a lobbyist for private tow companies had approached council months earlier to request a rate increase and that the towing advisory board had been working on the proposal since July.

After discussion, a motion to continue the ordinance for 60 days passed; the item was continued to the Nov. 25 Public Safety Standing Committee meeting. Committee members recorded aye votes during the roll call (Ms. Abubaca and Chair Trammell were recorded as aye in the excerpt). No members of the public spoke for or against the item during the committee public hearing.

Why it matters: the ordinance would set maximum fees private tow operators may charge for tows from private property and would update several amounts and timeframes in the city code. Committee members said they wanted more time to review the proposal before forwarding it.","A proposed ordinance to increase certain private‑property towing, storage and administrative fees was continued for 60 days after committee members said they received the proposal with less than required notice and sought more time for review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458241,"Committee votes to forward $250,000 state grant for radio repeaters to full council",118,105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6&start=105&end=223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6/thumbnail_105000.jpg","/articles/6458241/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-votes-to-forward-250000-state-grant-for-radio-repeaters-to-full-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458241-80bf0ff43fcddeeaa90993998f1566cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175024&Signature=nX1vpRSRatA-fDlpUT6MtEA52iVQ1Y7xZazV2bvlRoAWcgnq1Hr9isdQUNESE1J5RVH4ZLoh~KVe-nHfyEVp4cwUPmPwLp~T1hO9qDLGylcx7Pmkb1yGABBPuI93KJqnFxZt682EpyrVUl7JCEnZyrC0CnV95C7TTSGFkE1ThLO1V5tC9BvhM6-YdjiFKmDN2YSYr2YnzRjCJqM~LjVHSZsthxWkQMQ79J~NAszhkjnFuG3OpbijsB70lB6tJNbTIog9IJc-d4bolweUd2fHxZTjVEIOQFXcHxSRNnmoM-EJ9JZG6oFSQKgTL8W1BfKKxXVHAEOu6Ct6AUz-q0F5zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Public Safety Standing Committee voted to forward an ordinance to the full City Council that would authorize the city to accept $250,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and create a FY26 special fund to purchase and install radio repeater equipment.

Jonathan Fetterman, Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, presented the paper, saying: “This paper is to authorize the CAO to accept, grant funds, from the State Homeland Security Grama grant, which is to install radio repeaters, within our public safety radio system for the purpose of enhancing our in building coverage.”

Fetterman answered a committee question about how many repeaters would be installed, saying the number was being finalized but “it looks like 4 right now.” The committee held a public hearing; no speakers registered in support or opposition.

After questions, a motion was made to forward item 1 (ordinance 20 25 2 21) to the full council with a recommendation to approve. The committee recorded aye votes from Miss Aberbacher and Miss Trammell and approved the motion to forward.

Why it matters: the grant and the new special fund would pay for radio repeater equipment intended to improve in‑building coverage for public safety radio systems, a technical change aimed at improving responders’ ability to communicate inside structures.

What the ordinance would do: the paper as presented would (1) authorize the CAO to accept the grant, (2) create a new FY26 SHSP radio repeater special fund, and (3) appropriate the grant funds for purchase and installation of radio repeater equipment.

Next steps: the ordinance will go to the full Richmond City Council with the committee’s recommendation to approve.","The Public Safety Standing Committee voted to forward an ordinance authorizing acceptance of $250,000 in State Homeland Security grant funds to buy and install radio repeater equipment to improve in‑building radio coverage, with a recommendation to approve.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458227,"Interim fire chief: Station 21 nearing occupancy; open house tentatively set for Nov. 10",96,2469000,2565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6&start=2469&end=2565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823151-a2cdbc41d230d4bb67a18b3b4062c8a6/thumbnail_2469000.jpg","/articles/6458227/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Interim-fire-chief-Station-21-nearing-occupancy-open-house-tentatively-set-for-Nov-10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458227-b207364a1d20f4788b3c1fbcd29925a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175024&Signature=Vyxvg6nAu9TL4oAgJuWd--JD2xVwvPyQ9T2nOKJNdXGrvsNqT5fU5L11HTVxgXLnN-wNrGee2ScsmRwb8TraDMJpGHl7X485HIyJAfD1QmM6WWIoduGu2ieZ75yTXttlAkTyIwlz8j0bnMZ9INsGFnk9FNYVpmPtzytoHazvsWGBr1OcbVh3khJAX8NRM7t~LmYdHfOd0qoFNGmG-SNLAgTUHsFgPyWPzGfJszazqNN1Nscr47ErBZxjbTj4v4AMTdbzg3jqH7ycae~VuYr3MWsmfybX1xtvY2QxYO5iYrRDZGMF4oPb4sDVm7TSs2-dn3fMww0xZyuH4-ZrRivdLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim Fire Chief Siegel told the Public Safety Standing Committee that Fire Station 21 is nearing completion and that engine company 21 should return to the station before the planned open house.

Siegel said the open house date was tentatively set for Nov. 10 but that final contractor work and outstanding supply deliveries caused a brief delay. “We do expect, engine 21 to be back well before, November 10, to be in there. But the actual open house, will be, I believe, tentatively, November 10,” Siegel said. The chief said the date would be confirmed and that the department looks forward to a community event.

Why it matters: returning Engine 21 to its station restores local fire coverage and allows the department to host an open house for community members. Committee members expressed anticipation for a community celebration when the station reopens.

Next steps: department staff will confirm the open house date and notify council and community stakeholders.","Interim Fire Chief Siegel said Station 21 is close to completion, engine 21 is expected to return to the station before a planned open house tentatively scheduled for Nov. 10, contingent on final contractor work and supply deliveries.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Police report shows mixed crime trends, targeted enforcement at Shockoe Bottom

Committee continues towing‑fee ordinance after questions about notice and rate changes

Committee votes to forward $250,000 state grant for radio repeaters to full council

Interim fire chief: Station 21 nearing occupancy; open house tentatively set for Nov. 10