Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has announced the establishment of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of a coordinated effort to combat the increasing gun violence in the city. The new office aims to unify existing programs from city, state, and federal levels to assist high-risk individuals, including recent gun violence victims and young adults entangled in the criminal justice system.
At a recent briefing, city officials reported troubling statistics, including eight children shot in Richmond this year, and 14 murders along with 39 non-fatal shootings. Despite these alarming figures, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards emphasized that overall major crime rates are down compared to previous years. The anticipated launch of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention is scheduled for next month, raising hopes for a more integrated approach to safety in the community.
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