Operation
Safe Summer Begins
The Richmond Police
Department will today launch 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.
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:
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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 Tuesday, May 26, at 5 p.m. in the Lucks
Field community in the 1900 block of U Street. Also taking place every
month are Command Staff Community Walks to foster relationships with community
members and accept input and feedback.
5.
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.
6.
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 June 12 and operate from 6 – 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings
through August 15 at the T.B. Smith Community Center on Ruffin Road, Luck’s
Field Community Center on U Street and Southside Community Center on Old
Warwick Road. The gyms will not operate on June 19, July 3 and July 4.
“We have a citywide
strategy to help ensure a safer summer for everyone in Richmond,” said Chief
Rick Edwards. “We are grateful to our city agencies and community partners
for bringing their energy, expertise, and commitment to this effort. Most
importantly, the role of the community is essential. By working together, we
can make this a safer summer for all.”
The RPD is asking citizens
to safely store their firearms and lock their vehicles to support the violent
crime reduction work.
