Operation Safe Summer Begins

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.

RPD Command Staff Walk in Highland Terrace and Green Park Neighborhoods

RPD Command Staff Walk in Highland Terrace and Green Park Neighborhoods

 

WHAT:         Richmond Police Department Command Staff Community Walk

 

WHEN:         5 p.m., TODAY, May 20

 

WHERE:      The meeting location will be 1100 E. Brookland Park Boulevard

 

Richmond Police Department command staff and Fourth Precinct officers will walk in Sector 411 with collaborating public safety partners to interact with residents and business owners and offer crime prevention tips. Sector 411 Lieutenant Brian Sheridan and participants will engage residents to better understand their needs and hear their concerns and suggestions for improvements in public safety.

 

BACKGROUND:    

This walk is part of a series as the RPD Command Staff walks and talks with residents and business owners throughout the various city precincts, which has been a longstanding tradition of the department. The RPD is committed to cultivating opportunities for open dialogue and building relationships with citizens that extend beyond the response to emergencies. 

Advisory: Male Found in James River Death Investigation

     Male Found in James River Death Investigation

    May 19, 2026

Today at approximately 11:27 a.m., a person fishing on the banks of Great Shiplock Park on Dock Street observed what appeared to be a body in the James River and called 911.   Richmond Police Department officers and the Richmond Fire Department Water Rescue Team responded to the scene.   The RFD Water Rescue Team launched from the Ancarrow’s Landing Park boat ramp and located an adult male in the river and transported him back to Ancarrow’s Landing Park. He was pronounced dead at the scene.   The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.   Detectives with the RPD Major Crimes division have initiated a death investigation and have begun efforts to identify the male.   Anyone with information about this death investigation or the possible identity of this individual is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 app may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Arrest Made in Fatal Pedestrian Collision on Hull Street Road

 

May 19, 2026

 

Arrest Made in Fatal Pedestrian Collision on Hull Street Road

 

Richmond Police detectives, with assistance from Chesterfield County Police, have made an arrest in connection with a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred last year on Hull Street Road.

 

Raymond Howard, 61, of Richmond, was taken into custody on Wednesday, May 13, and charged with felony hit-and-run in connection with the death of Rogelio Garcia, 54, of Richmond, who was struck while crossing Hull Street Road.

 

At approximately 9:23 p.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025, officers responded to the 5200 block of Hull Street Road for the report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian. Once on scene, officers located Garcia in the roadway. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

 

The RPD Crash Team responded to the scene and determined Garcia was not in a crosswalk and was crossing Hull Street Road northbound when he was struck by a vehicle traveling westbound. The driver fled the scene.

 

Anyone with additional information about this collision is asked to contact RPD Crash Team Investigator D. Peppel at (804) 646-1042 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Tips may also be submitted through the P3 app. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Victim Identified in a Single-Vehicle Traffic Fatality on Jennie Scher Road

May 15, 2026

 

Victim Identified in a Single-Vehicle Traffic Fatality on Jennie Scher Road

 

Today, at approximately 10:29 a.m., Richmond Police officers on patrol located a single-occupant vehicle that had crashed into a ditch in the 2000 block of Jennie Scher Road. 

 

During the investigation, officers located an adult male, identified as Jerome McCall, 43, of Richmond, unresponsive inside the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crash Team Investigator G. Drago at (804) 646-1369 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Richmond Police Memorial Service

WHAT:                       Richmond Police Memorial Service

WHEN:                       10 a.m., Friday, May 15, 2026

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

BACKGROUND:         Each year law enforcement agencies across the country honor those who                                         gave their lives in the line of duty during National Police Week.

                                    This year’s observance is May 10 through May 16. National Police Week                                             activities offer opportunities of remembrance and honor while allowing                                         law enforcement, survivors, and the public to gather and pay homage to                                         those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

                                     Chief Rick Edwards, the Richmond Police Department and community                                             members will honor Richmond’s fallen officers and also remember those                                         who served the department and passed away in 2025 and to-date in 2026.                                      Family members of Richmond’s fallen officers will be in attendance to lay a                                      wreath at the memorial stone.

                                   

                                    Members of the public and the media are invited to attend.

 

Advisory: Arrest Made in Rosecrest Avenue Homicide Investigation

    May 13, 2026

Arrest Made in Rosecrest Avenue Homicide Investigation

Richmond Police detectives, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, have made an arrest in the homicide that occurred last year on Rosecrest Avenue.

Tonasia Johnson, 24, of Chesterfield, was indicted on Wednesday, May 6, and arrested by the U.S. Marshals on Monday, May 11. She is charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in relation to the homicide of Rashad Baylor, 47, of Richmond. Her booking photo is attached.

At approximately 9:56 p.m., Wednesday, June 18, 2025, officers were called to the 1600 block of Rosecrest Avenue for the report of a person shot. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Baylor, down on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital with injuries considered to be life threatening. On Friday, June 20, 2025, Baylor succumbed to his injuries while at the hospital.

Anyone with further information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective C. Tovar at (804) 646-6739 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.