RPD Announces Early Launch of Operation Safe Summer
April 17, 2024
The
Richmond Police Department has announced an early launch to Operation Safe
Summer (OSS), a collaborative effort by local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies led by the RPD to suppress violent crime and increase
public safety throughout Richmond.
Due
to recent incidents of fatal shootings, several of which involved juvenile
victims, the department is launching the program this Friday, April 19.
This
comprehensive approach, slated to continue through early September, aligns with
the ‘Hotspot’ location strategy of Chief Rick Edwards. The Hotspot locations
are areas of clustered reports of gun violence. Chief Edwards has devoted
focused enforcement and officer visibility in these areas to deter violent
crime and Operation Safe Summer will use this research in a targeted approach.
Operation Safe Summer will include the following:
- State partnership.
In collaboration with RPD, Virginia State Police will support by providing
State Troopers and patrol cars within the city, focusing on violent crime
Hotspot areas in alignment with existing department strategies.
- Federal partnerships.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Department of
Justice (DOJ) and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) will work in
partnership with RPD combining resources to identify, investigate, and
prosecute the most significant drivers of gun violence and other violent
crime.
- Local partnership.
The Richmond Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney will work in
partnership with RPD in investigative consultations and prosecutions of subjects
identified through this Operation. Other groups, such as Richmond
Community Mediators, the RPD Chaplain program and the Trauma Healing and
Response Network, among others, will all work to contribute to the safety
of the public. Richmond Public Schools will be continuing their effective
work with key partners like ChildSavers and Communities in Schools to
provide resources. The Department of Justice Services is continuing to
convene the city’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Steering
Committee which established the GVPI Hotline of (804) 646-5987.
- Community partnership. Meaningful law enforcement engagement with the
community is essential to building trust and earning legitimacy and is a
core value of the department. RPD Community Pop-Up events provide
activities and resources to families as part of the strategy to prevent
violent crime. The next event is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, in the
Hillside Court neighborhood. Also taking place every month are Command
Staff Community Walks to foster relationships with community members and
accept input and feedback. Following the Community Walk happening tonight
in the Whitcomb neighborhood, the next Community Walk is scheduled for May
15 in Sector 411.
- Invest in and distribute gun safes. RPD has utilized American Rescue Plan
grant funding to make gun safes available for Richmond families who may
have a firearm at home and want to store it safely. Individuals can
request gun safes by calling (804) 516-0451.
- Positive
Environments for Youth.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities offers a
variety of summer programs for children and youth at no/low cost. Space is
still available in many PRCF camps. Additionally, PRCF is bringing back
"Late Night Gym," which will begin Memorial Day weekend and
operate on Friday and Saturday evenings through Labor Day weekend.
Additional details, including locations and program hours, will be
announced in May.
“We
have a city-wide strategy for a safer summer for our youth and all of us in
Richmond,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “We thank the city agencies and all
our partners for contributing their valuable energy and skills in this
Operation, but it is the role of the community that can be most important.
Together, with this Operation starting even in spring, we can make this the
safest summer for all of us.”
The
RPD is asking citizens to safely store their firearms and lock their vehicles
to support the violent crime reduction work.
