RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Attorney General Mark Herring and the Richmond Police Department announced Tuesday that the city’s most crime-ridden communities saw a 50 percent decrease in homicides and a 30 percent decrease in total violent crime during a recent three-month anti-violence initiative. 

The second launch of the city’s ‘Respect Richmond’ anti-violence campaign, which ran from Memorial Day through Labor Day, produced a ‘substantial drop’ in violence crime and gun violence in focus neighborhoods, which include the city’s public housing communities.

Attorney General Mark Herring and the Richmond Police Department announced Tuesday that the city's most crime-ridden communities saw a 50 percent decrease in homicides and a 30 percent decrease in total violent crime during a recent three-month anti-

The campaign also yielded millions of impressions and interactions on its various platforms, including social media. 

Data shows that during the relaunch of the ‘Respect Richmond’ campaign, violent crimes were down across the city compared to the year before, particularly in the priority neighborhoods that were a focus of the campaign:

“People have a right to live without fear” — RPD Chief Alfred Durham 

All neighborhoods combined saw a:

  • 50 percent decrease in homicides
  • 30 percent decrease in total violent crimes
  • 41 percent decrease in robbery with a firearm
  • 100 percent decrease in robbery victims shot
  • 31 percent decrease in aggravated assault
  • 34 percent decrease in aggravated assault with a firearm
  • 57 percent decrease in aggravated assault victims shot

In several of the city’s public housing communities that have been plagued with crime:

  • Creighton Court saw a 100 percent decrease in homicides and a 55 percent decrease in total violent crimes
  • Fairfield Court did not have any homicides during the campaign and had an 80 percent decrease in aggravated assault and a 50 percent decrease in total violent crimes
  • Gilpin Court had a 100 percent decrease in both homicides and robbery with a firearm as well as 75 percent decrease in aggravated assault victims who had been shot
  • Whitcomb Court saw a 100 percent decrease in robbery victims who were shot and a 20 percent decrease in total violent crimes

“We are encouraged by the drop in violent crime in Richmond this year,” RPD Chief Alfred Durham said during a Tuesday morning press conference. “People have a right to live without fear.

“I want to thank Attorney General Mark Herring for implementing the Respect Richmond campaign, which uses cutting-edge technology to deliver via social media for tips when crimes occur right to the affected neighborhoods as well as thought-provoking messages to everyone, ‘think twice before resorting to violence,” Durham added. “Because of efforts like this the Richmond Police Department can continue to make great strides in reducing violent crime.”

Kirk Nawrotzky attended Tuesday’s press conference and will have a full report on 8News at 5 & 6

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