Virginia crime-fighting efforts bring major drop in killings in state

Gov. Glenn Youngkin celebrated crime-fighting initiatives that targeted Virginia’s most violent cities for driving a statewide decline in killings and crimes.

The Office of Attorney General Jason Miyares said there were 116 fewer homicides in the state through Aug. 31, compared with the same period last year.  

Mr. Youngkin, a Republican, marked the success of the Ceasefire Virginia and Bold Blue Line initiatives that provided support for local police departments and cracked down on street gangs, most of which are concentrated in the southern part of the state.

“We have seen an overall reduction of 30% of the murder rate across the Commonwealth of Virginia, and an even greater reduction in our Bold Blue Line [and] Operation Ceasefire cities,” the governor said.

Operation Bold Blue Line is the governor’s push to hire more cops from nearby states and boost salaries for officers throughout the commonwealth.

Operation Ceasefire is the AG’s initiative to crack down on gangs and violence in high-crime neighborhoods.

The targeted cities — Chesapeake, Danville, Emporia, Hampton, Hopewell, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Richmond and Roanoke — saw 77 fewer homicides during that time frame, representing 66% of the statewide decrease in slayings.

And while the cities represent roughly 19% of all crimes committed in the state, the AG’s office said focused efforts in those jurisdictions brought about a 40% reduction in violent crime across the commonwealth. 

The AG’s office also said the initiatives provided funding to federal prosecutors in the state, and have helped them secure a near-100% conviction rate for repeat violent offenders.

“Lives have changed, and there are people alive today — I’m firmly convinced of this — because their would-be murderer actually got investigated, prosecuted and put behind bars and now they’re able to breathe air in this remarkable country we call home,” said Mr. Miyares, a Republican.

Roanoke and Newport News saw the most dramatic declines in killings, 67% and 66%, respectively.

Hopewell, which is just south of Richmond, was not far behind with a 60% decline in killings. Homicides fell 21% in Richmond, the largest city of focus in the operation.