Unlawful Assembly Reminder

June 19, 2020

Reminder: the Richmond Police Department has the authority to declare protests that become violent, dangerous or disruptive as unlawful assemblies. It is one of the tools the Department has under Virginia Code ~VA 18.2 -406 to deal with unruly crowds. It gives the officers the authority to make arrests for failing to disperse.

While several unlawful assembly declarations have been announced in recent weeks, officers have refrained from making arrests. But the danger of personal injury and on-going willful and wanton property damage cannot be tolerated.

“I have instructed my officers to make every effort to support each citizen’s First Amendment right to express their opinion,” said RPD Interim Chief William “Jody” Blackwell. “We share their vision of a better, more inclusive future for Richmond. But, some protesters actions put everyone at risk and we must address that.”

Here is what to expect: When the decision is made to declare an unlawful assembly, repeated announcements are made by bullhorn to alert everyone it is time to leave.

This is what will be announced:  “This is been deemed an unlawful assembly. Please disperse. Failure to disperse will result in arrest and/or exposure to chemical agents.”

The announcement will also be tweeted out using this graphic:

If you hear the unlawful assembly announcement or see the Tweet, please leave the area immediately.

Phone Scam Alert

June 19, 2020

The Richmond Police Department is investigating several reports of a telephone scam that surfaces every few years. It involves trying to get money on a false, but believable, pretense.

Here’s how it works:  The scammer, posing as an RPD detective, calls and threatens the person with arrest for an outstanding warrant. The person is advised to call another number with a local area code to pay $3,000.00 or be locked up.

It’s not true.

“The Richmond Police Department will never call you with demands for money,” said First Precinct Captain Richard Edwards. “Do not call the number. Do not provide your credit card information.”

If you receive a call like this or a similar one, please call the RPD’s non-emergency line at (804) 646-5100 to report it.

RPD detectives are currently investigating two recent incidents, but they would like to hear from anyone else who has received such a call. At this point, they have not heard of anyone who has actually been scammed.

Traffic Advisory: Large crowd expected to gather at Robert E. Lee Monument Friday

June 18, 2020

Traffic will be affected as a large number of people are expected to gather at the Robert E. Lee Monument for a candlelight vigil Friday night.

The following roads will be closed from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 19:

·       Monument Avenue between Lombardy Street and Meadow Street

·       Allen Avenue between Park Avenue and West Broad Street

Mayor Stoney to Introduce Interim Chief Blackwell to the Community

June 18, 2020

WHAT:                    Introduction of Interim Chief William “Jody” Blackwell

WHEN:                   1:00 p.m., TODAY, June 18, 2020

WHERE:                 RPD Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road, Richmond   

BACKGROUND:     Last Tuesday, Mayor Levar Stoney named William “Jody” Blackwell as the interim chief of the Richmond Police Department.

                                Today, Interim Chief Blackwell will offer remarks and take questions about the new assignment.

                                 Blackwell is a 22 year veteran of the Department. His most recent assignment, as a Major, was Chief of Staff.

                                           

Protesters Topple Statue – Attack Mayor’s Building

June 17, 2020

Late last night protestors toppled the statue of a Confederate soldier on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University after attacking a residential building where Mayor Levar Stoney resides.

The statue, known as the Howitzer Monument, was pulled down shortly after 11:00 p.m. It was moved to a safe location later in the morning.

About ninety minutes earlier, a crowd of between 200 and 250 protesters gathered outside Mayor Stoney’s residential building. They chanted about the mayor and tagged the building with graffiti. A group of about twenty of them briefly entered the building’s lobby before being removed by private security.

Officers Injured, Arrest Made During Violent Demonstration outside RPD HQ

June 15, 2020

Officers Injured, Arrest Made During Violent Demonstration outside RPD HQ

A demonstration by protesters overnight outside the Richmond Police Department Headquarters at 200 W. Grace Street turned violent, resulting in injuries to several law enforcement officers, property damage and one arrest.

“This demonstration escalated into rioting and violence that lasted throughout the night and into the early morning hours,” said Richmond Police Chief William C. Smith. “Last night’s actions far exceeded what is considered to be lawful First Amendment activity. Organizers were intent on provocation and creating mayhem by throwing rocks and other objects at the officers on duty, who showed great restraint in response to these attacks.” 

Three officers were injured during the rioting.  Several city vehicles, including city dump trucks, sustained significant damage. Several privately owned buildings in the area were also vandalized. Numerous dumpster fires were set with the intent to destroy public and private property.

The escalating violence prompted multiple declarations of an unlawful assembly, which was broadcast to the crowd several times with instructions to disperse. After warnings were disregarded, a pepper spray fogger was deployed.

One person was taken into custody after crossing the police line after repeated warnings not to do so. When a RPD officer attempted to stop her, the suspect struck the officer in the head with a bullhorn. Michaela G. Hatton, 22, of Richmond, was charged with felony assault on a law enforcement officer and conspiracy to incite a riot. During the booking process, Ms. Hatton refused to provide her personal information, as required by law.

At her hearing Monday, the judge also banned her from any actions tending to incite criminal activity.

Chief Smith drew a distinction between the overwhelming majority of protestors who are peacefully and lawfully exercising their rights and those who are seeking to do harm to the community through acts of violence, inciting conflict with law enforcement and destroying property.

“We fully support peaceful demonstrations, but we will not tolerate the violent assault of police officers, the threats to law-abiding members of our residential and business community or the willful destruction of city and private property,” said Chief Smith.

“I expect my officers to remain patient and professional during this trying time, and will hold accountable those who do not uphold this standard.  But demonstrators must practice non-violence, and under no circumstance will I allow violent protest to continue to harm our community.”

Police Investigate Overnight Shootings

June 11, 2020

The Richmond Police Department is investigating five shootings that occurred overnight. 

There are a total of nine known victims and all suffered non-life threatening injuries.  Detectives are working to determine if any of these incidents are related:

1.      At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, officers responded to a call at a local hospital for the report of a person shot.  Once on scene, they made contact with the adult male victim.  He was suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound.  Detectives have determined the shooting – which occurred in 1700 block of E Broad Street – was accidental and self-inflicted.

2.      At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, the Department of Emergency Communications received a call for an adult female victim with a gunshot wound who walked into a local hospital.  The exact location of the shooting is unknown at this time.  The victim was in a vehicle traveling through the city when she was shot.  The victim was treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.  There is no suspect description at this time.

3.      At approximately 12:06 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, officers responded to the 800 block of N. 1^st Street for several reports of multiple people shot.  Once on scene, they found two adult male victims.  The victims were transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.  Another adult male victim and one adult female victim were taken to a local hospital by private vehicles.  They were also treated for non-life threatening injuries.  Detectives believe this may have been a drive-by shooting.  There is no suspect description at this time. 

4.      At approximately 12:08 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, officers responded to the 1300 block of N. 5^th Street for the report of a person shot.  Once on scene, they found an adult male victim suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound.  Detectives have determined the shooting was accidental and self-inflicted.

5.      At approximately 12:10 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, officers responded to the 2100 block of Accommodation Street for the report of a shooting that had just occurred.  Once on scene, they set up a perimeter.  The two juvenile victims – a toddler and a teenager – were taken to a local hospital by private vehicle.  Both suffered from non-life threatening injuries.  Detectives believe this may have been a drive-by shooting.  There is no suspect description at this time. 

Anyone with information about any of these investigations is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com . The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.