July 1, 2016
Food, family, friends, and fun are all part of an
Independence Day celebration. As many people are pulling out the grill to
celebrate, others may be thinking about shooting fireworks or firearms into the
air – Both are illegal in the city.
“We want all citizens to have a safe and happy
holiday this Fourth of July and enjoy events around Richmond,” said Chief
Alfred Durham of the Richmond Police Department. “We urge people to please
leave fireworks to the professionals and remember that random gunfire is
against the law and could result in death.”
In 2014, Brendon’s Law (§ 18.2-56.1) was enacted to
implement harsher penalties for reckless handling of a firearm, including
celebratory gunfire, resulting in serious injury.
The Richmond Police Department would like to remind
citizens of the following:
- Randomly firing a weapon in the city is illegal.
- Firecrackers, skyrockets, torpedoes and other fireworks that explode, travel laterally, rise into the air, or fire projectiles are prohibited.
- Legal
fireworks displays planned at the Diamond and Dogwood Dell on Monday, July
4.Legal parking
for Dogwood Dell is available at City Stadium on Douglasdale Road. Shuttle
buses will be available from the stadium to Dogwood Dell.
No parking signs in the area will be posted and enforcement will begin at 2 p.m. Illegal parking will be strictly enforced.
- Boulevard
(north and southbound) closed at south of Idlewood Avenue
- Blanton
Avenue between Garrett Street to Grant Street
- Douglasdale
Road between McCloy Street and Blanton Avenue
- Park
Drive to Toll Plaza
- Spotswood
Road and Trafford Road
- Westover
Hills Boulevard and Riverside Drive closed, including the Boulevard Bridge
The Department plans to have a strong police
presence this holiday weekend to ensure safe celebrations. To report random
gunfire or illegal fireworks, call the Richmond Police Department’s
non-emergency number at 804-646-5100.
