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Police report: staffing, drop in most violent crimes but vehicle thefts rise; Fire reports recruit graduations and encampment fire increase
Summary
Richmond Police reported 118 sworn officers and declines in robberies, aggravated assaults and burglaries but a 33% rise in stolen vehicles; Fire Department reported decreased structure fires, higher encampment fires and graduated new firefighters and youth cadets.
Lieutenant Decius of the Richmond Police Department reported July 14 that the department has about 118 sworn officers and roughly 10 people currently in training. He said the department has seen decreases in robberies, aggravated assaults and burglaries through June, but noted an increase of about 33% in stolen vehicles concentrated in the Central District, Iron Triangle and Atchison Village.
Decius said the city had no murders through June but recorded 1 homicide the prior week, bringing the year‑to‑date total to 1. ShotSpotter activations were down 13% from May and about 33% year‑to‑date compared with the previous year; Decius said year‑to‑date shooting incidents with identified victims are 10. He also described successes from a camera‑based program (Flock) that contributed to the recovery of nine stolen cars, four arrests and seizure of one firearm in the past month.
Decius listed public events and outreach items, including the Juneteenth parade and National Night Out planned for Aug. 5; he thanked officers for traffic management at Juneteenth.
Deputy Fire Chief Rincon reported that in June the Fire Department handled 1,148 incidents. Structure fires were down (7 in June compared with 10 in the prior month); vegetation fires numbered 9; encampment‑related fires rose (an increase of 8 to 74 total). The department graduated eight new firefighters from its recruit academy and reported a youth academy cohort of 50 cadets completed training.
Rincon said the department is emphasizing wildland preparedness, hazardous‑materials coordination (including electric vehicle battery/fire protocols) and CERT refresher training. He said the department will continue training for EV battery fires and coordinate with the city’s hazardous‑materials team to ensure firefighter and public safety.
Ending: Police and fire recommended residents attend neighborhood events like National Night Out and said both departments will continue public safety outreach and training; police invited questions and will follow up on specific local concerns raised by neighborhood members.
