A pilot program targeting spikes in violent crime was successful in Richmond and will now expand to other areas of the state.
Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker on Thursday announced the first results of "Operation Rolling Thunder," which pools law-enforcement resources and focuses them on a specific crime problem for 30 days.
Richmond targeted robberies in three areas in November, aiming for a 20 percent reduction. Overall, the city saw a 35 percent decrease in violent crime in those 30 days over November 2009 statistics, and a 70 percent decrease in commercial robberies, according to city police data.
The Richmond blitz involved Alcoholic Beverage Control agents to monitor club compliance in the area where robberies were occurring. The Virginia State Police conducted traffic enforcement along the nearby road corridors, and the Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Services made home contacts with people on probation for robbery.
Also Thursday, Decker announced the creation of the Commonwealth's Gang and Violent Crime Executive Committee to help local governments fight gang violence. And she touted a new initiative in the juvenile detention centers to pair every youth with a mentor.
The Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking mentors, and people can apply online at www.djj.virginia.gov.
omeola@timesdispatch.com
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