At a town hall hosted by the Richmond Police Department on Tuesday, many attendees expressed frustration with increased crime and young people’s role in it.
More than 100 people attended the session with Police Chief Alfred Durham. Held at Southside Plaza Community Center, it was the first of four town halls being held by the department.
The annual meetings have been a tradition since Durham took over the department’s leadership in 2015, and are part of sharing his vision for policing in the city. But they also serve as a time for residents to share concerns about their communities.
“Where are the bowling alleys? Where are the skating rinks? Putt-putt? Something for the kids to do once they get out of school?” asked Vincent Holmes.
Durham fielded similar questions and suggestions from others, and answered bluntly, as he usually does.
“People expect us to raise their kids,” Durham said. “We’re not in that business.”
He gave the example of a recent shooting in crime-prone Mosby Court, a public housing community in the city’s East End, where two teenagers were killed and a woman was injured. The shooting occurred around 1 a.m.
The following Monday there was a community meeting there. Only two adults attended.
“We can’t be the only ones who care,” Durham said.
Mosby Court, located about 20 minutes north of the Southside Plaza Community Center where Tuesday’s meeting was held, was frequently mentioned at the town hall. Six of the city’s 20 homicides this year have occurred there. Durham said the public housing complex is a priority and is driving up violent crime.
Compared with this time last year, the city in 2017 has had two more homicides and 10 more aggravated assaults — including six more shootings in which a person was injured. Property crime is also up, driven in large part by motor vehicle thefts. Between violent crimes and property crimes, there have been 482 more this year than during the same period last year, which was the deadliest in a decade.
Charles Wes, who most know as Coach Wes, said he would like to form a coalition of people who want to help youths, such as by getting them involved in recreation leagues and community events.
Others applauded the notion. Nicole Fields said the initiative needs to go further than adults planning for the youths — they need to come up with some plans themselves.
Fields is planning to hold a summit for young people ages 12 to 20 on May 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at Peter Paul Development Community Center at 1708 N. 22nd St. There will be a DJ and performances, free food, vendors and transportation.
“We’ve got to given them a safe place so we can first listen to what they have to say, and then make plans. Not plan for them but have them make a plan for themselves,” she said. “There are active community centers for youth, but have you asked them why they don’t go there? Do they even know where they are? Do they have cars to get there? Are we willing to help them if they don’t?”
Carolyn Johnson, president of the McGuire Civic Association, said she has been dubbed president of the “Snitch Club” in her neighborhood. It’s a nickname she’s proud of, and she encouraged others to form community watches in their neighborhood.
“This is my block, and I’m taking it back,” she said. She urged others to take photos of those committing crimes and call the police directly, not 911, when reporting wrongdoers.
Durham begged for the community’s help. The department is authorized to have 750 sworn officers, but he has only 688, including cadet recruits who don’t graduate from the academy until this summer.
“There are more of you than there are police,” he said. “You are a force multiplier.”
Tuesday’s town hall served residents in the department’s 2nd Precinct, which covers the southern end of the city. Three additional meetings are scheduled through next week.
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