Va. expands violent crime program

Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker announced Thursday that a successful state pilot program in Richmond will be expanded statewide to reduce violent crime.

Operation Rolling Thunder led to a 35 percent decrease in violent crime in Richmond in November 2010, according to city officials. The goal was a 20 percent decrease in robberies.

Among the program elements:

• Virginia State Police conducted traffic enforcement operations.
• Alcohol Beverage Control conducted underage drinking operations and club compliance activities in areas where robberies had been occurring.
• Probation and parole officers visited the homes of individuals on probation for robbery and of certified gang members.

"Operation Rolling Thunder demonstrates effective use of state and local resources, capturing each agency and department's strengths, to address a specific crime problem,'' Assistant Richmond Police Chief Dave McCoy said.

For the full story, see the Virginia Politics blog.