Richmond has dropped 50 cities from 49th to 99th in terms of city crime rankings.
This is the biggest drop yet for the city, and the fourth year in a row the city’s national crime ranking has fallen, according to the Congressional Quarterly Press.
In 2005, the city ranked 5th; in 2006, the city ranked 15th; in 2007, it ranked 29th; and last year it ranked 49th.
“This is great news for all the citizens of Richmond,” Chief Bryan T. Norwood said. “Though we missed being out of the top 100 by one city index point, I know we can get there next year.”
The city’s current ranking is based on 2008 data. That data includes 385 cities with populations of 75,000 or more and is based on reported crime rates per 100,000 in six crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
“I commend the city’s law enforcement professionals and the residents of the city of Richmond, as the city could not obtain this ranking without their teamwork, collaboration, and the dedication to reclaim the safety of our streets and neighborhoods,” Mayor Dwight C. Jones said. “This ranking serves as positive reinforcement and will aid our efforts in making Richmond a tier one city.”
Chief Norwood attributes the decline in ranking to the community and professional partnerships established by the Department and its officers. Close work with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office – with community prosecutors assigned to each sector – and the Cooperative Violence Reduction Partnership, which includes local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, all lead toward the goal of crime reduction.
The Department’s own Fugitive and Firearms Initiative, Gang Reduction and Intervention Program, and truancy reduction efforts also greatly contribute to addressing the underlying factors that lead to persons committing criminal acts.
Contact: Gene Lepley
Richmond Police Department
Phone 804-646-0607
Fax 804-646-3496
http://www.richmondgov.com/police
