WHO: Major Scott Booth
Lt. Don
Davenport
Virginia
State Police
WHAT: Summer Fugitives and
Firearms Initiative Kickoff
WHEN: 4:30 p.m., Wednesday,
July 2
WHERE: Richmond Police Second Precinct, 177 E. Belt Blvd.
BACKGROUND: Each summer, the
Richmond Police Department partners with the Virginia State Police to target
two crime influences in the city – fugitives and firearms. Known as the
Fugitives and Firearms Initiative – FFI – it is part of the police department’s
strategy to reduce violent crime, specifically gun violence, in the city.
This summer,
the initiative is ramping up its efforts to find and seize illegal firearms and
they’re directly asking for the community’s help to do so.
“We’re not going to stand for the recent
violence we've seen in the city and one of the ways we combat that is through
this joint operation with Virginia State Police,” Area 1 Major Scott Booth said.
“This
time we are asking for the community to really step up and help us find these
illegal firearms by calling Crime Stoppers, which is anonymous, at 780-1000 to
report them.”
Virginia State Police Richmond Division Commander Capt. Steve Chumley said, “The Virginia State Police is
pleased to once again partner with Richmond Police this summer.
“In past years, this
important community safety initiative has had a significant impact on removing
illegal weapons and violent criminals from the city’s neighborhoods and
streets.”
Major Booth, Virginia State Police, Lt. Don Davenport—who’s in charge of
this summer’s initiative—will join FFI officers to discuss the kickoff of this
initiative and how the public can help at Wednesday’s news conference.
Members of the media
are encouraged to attend.
