Dear
Friends,
I am delighted to share with you some encouraging
news. Our collective work, as a community and as a City,
in reducing crime is showing positive results.
Two recent media reports highlight Richmond's progress.
On July 30, KTVU-Channel 2 television news aired a
report about Richmond's dramatic drop in violent crime,
noting a 10% decrease overall and a 22% decline in
the Central District. Homicides have dropped 60% so
far in 2010, and gunshots are down 37%
http://www.ktvu.com/video/24460581/index.html .
On July 26, the Contra Costa Times chronicled the
significant drop in violence within the Parchester Village
neighborhood, a turnaround due in large part to community-oriented
policing.
We can all feel proud and hopeful by these inroads,
hard won by collaborative work by the enlarged and enhanced
Richmond Police Department, local community and neighborhood
groups, and many dedicated individuals working on the
frontlines.
As we highlight these positive trends, we must also
redouble our efforts to fight crime as we build a better
Richmond. One gunshot is too many; a single
homicide is unacceptable.
Join us in demonstrating our
ongoing commitment to foster peace and prevent crime
this Tuesday, August 3, for Richmond's observance
of "National Night Out."
Twenty-six of our neighborhoods will participate with
local block parties. Meet me and other City officials
at the Target Store parking lot, 4500 Macdonald Ave,
at 5:00 pm. We will be leaving the Target lot at 6
pm to tour City neighborhoods.
Call 510-620-6538 for more details. I encourage everyone
to participate and I look forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
Mayor McLaughlin |
