Public Safety
I want to make Richmond a safe and resilient city for every resident. Whether it’s pedestrian safety, addressing community and gun violence, preparing for extreme weather, and mitigating public health risks – my responsibility is to safeguard the well-being of residents. To achieve this, we need to rebuild trust with the community and collaborate with social workers, nonprofits, first responders, community health workers, schools, and faith leaders.
Historically underserved communities are more likely to be impacted by crime, violence, and victimization. Richmond leads Virginia’s independent cities in the total number of gun-related homicides per year and ranks second among all Virginia localities in gun-related homicides per capita. Community violence, including bullying, gang fighting, and shootings – especially when weapons and firearms are used – account for more death and disability than many significant diseases worldwide. And as noted by the CDC, firearms are the leading cause of death for children.
We have solutions available and need a mayor with the political will to build the long-term infrastructure necessary to create opportunity and end the cycle of violence.
We will enhance and strengthen our communities through modern and trauma-informed approaches that address the root causes of crime, leading to long-term safety and stability for families and children. We will roll out a mental health crisis response team to provide the proper resources for those facing a crisis. Integration with Social Services will be a core focus to make every program, resource, and service available to those who need it.
We also need to instill community policing practices for our officers, where they collaborate with co-responders and alternative responders on crime prevention and intervention programs. The best-trained and resourced community policing model in the U.S. collaborates with social workers, mental health professionals, and housing support partners. By taking a collaborative, community-driven approach to policing, we are better equipped to lower unnecessary encounters with police and identify issues and conflicts before they escalate to violence.
I’ll make it plain – systemic racism and economic disparities are the driving forces in how we treat or mistreat residents in the city. Poverty is a co-conspirator in this crisis, and we cannot effectively end community violence or gun violence if we don’t have a real plan to bring folks out of poverty. We must close the life expectancy gap that disproportionately impacts Black, Brown, and lower-income residents.
My administration will focus on breaking through generational poverty through workforce development, job creation, and policies that pay for food, housing, healthcare, and education. Every neighborhood needs access to healthy, full-service grocery stores, high-quality green spaces and parks, pharmacies and community banks, sidewalks and street lights, and public amenities to feel safe and be safe.
Currently, our police department has a staffing shortage. This results in fewer officers with time to connect with neighbors and build relationships within the community. “Exploring” is a hands-on program open to individuals who have completed the 6th grade through 20 years of age and are interested in public safety careers, such as law enforcement, fire, and emergency services. The program offers young adults a combination of classroom experience, hands-on training, and practical activities for community-based service.
Last year, Richmond had 24 traffic fatalities, and 170 individuals were incapacitated. This year, 6 individuals were killed in traffic-related crashes, and 90 people have been incapacitated. While we’re seeing a decrease in traffic fatalities and injuries, we must eliminate them altogether by increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for everyone. Richmonders lost to traffic violence is exacerbated by the unsafe design of our streets. I’ve repeatedly called on the Administration to create a Department of Transportation, aligning our resources to ensure no more Richmonders are killed in crashes on our streets. As mayor, you won’t have to wait anymore.
ANDREAS’S VISION FOR RICHMOND
Leading Richmond Forward
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