Police report mixed crime trends, urge tools to curb weapons and pop‑up party violence in Shockoe Bottom

Chief Rick Edwards of the Richmond Police Department presented a year‑to‑date crime snapshot and an update on recurring large gatherings in Shockoe Bottom and other city locations.

Edwards said overall violent crime is up 3% year to date but clarified several measures: “We're flat on murders. Aggravated assaults are a bit down. Our nonfatal shootings are down 17%,” he told the committee. Edwards said some of the apparent increase in aggravated domestic assaults stems from a change in reporting: the department now classifies choking and similar acts as aggravated domestic assault.

Property crime trends were more favorable, the chief said: “15% reduction overall. Burglaries are down 34%... Theft for motor vehicles ... is again trending in the right direction.” Edwards attributed part of the motor‑vehicle‑theft decline to security improvements in certain vehicle makes and a department distribution of more than 1,000 wheel locks to Richmond residents who own Hyundais or Kias.

Edwards identified Shockoe Bottom as a recurring site of concern, citing the potential for fights at large, semi‑organized gatherings to escalate into gunfire and describing recent arrests tied to shootings in the area. He said two people — Jordan Gale of Henrico and Amar Hendrickson of Chesterfield — were charged in a shooting that struck a Department of Public Works employee. Edwards also described one person arrested after video showed him pointing a firearm at a marked police cruiser.

The chief said stolen firearms remain a problem but are declining: “Firearms being stolen from vehicles, 12% reduction this year over last year,” he said, while noting that the city's heat map still showed a concentration of stolen firearms in Shockoe Bottom and that the department recorded about 360 stolen firearms in the area referenced.

Council members pressed Edwards on deployments and tools. He said mandatory overtime is used to bolster weekend staffing at Shockoe Bottom, with four officers on Friday nights and four on Saturday nights assigned to overtime details and First Precinct typically providing six to eight on‑duty officers and supervisors. Senior command staff, including the chief, rotate into those details as well.

Edwards discussed non‑enforcement approaches and legislative tools. He said the city has commissioned a VCU study of precinct boundaries and deployment patterns and is transitioning to a new records management system planned for 2026, which is expected to support implementation of boundary changes. The chief and council members discussed the possibility of an entertainment overlay or other zoning approaches and signage to discourage bringing firearms into crowded entertainment districts.

Edwards also noted steps on traffic enforcement and technology: launch of ten red‑light camera locations, the addition of a new officer dedicated to radar enforcement and use of retired part‑time officers to run speed enforcement where council members request it.

Interim Fire Chief Chad Siegel provided an update on Fire Station 21, saying the building is nearly ready for occupancy and that Engine 21 should return to the station before a tentatively scheduled Nov. 10 open house.

Edwards said the department is operating below authorized sworn staffing: “We're at 590 as of today. We're authorized strength at 755.” He described ongoing recruitment challenges for sworn positions despite higher application levels for civilian roles.

Chief Edwards said the department will report finalized third‑quarter crime numbers in October.