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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Richmond Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, March 24, 2026

BodyRichmond, Virginia

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, March 24, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

0:00

We will now call to order this meeting of the public safety standing committee.

0:04

I will now begin by reading the chamber emergency evacuation announcements and public speaker guidelines.

0:10

Upon activation of the emergency alarm signal, all persons should immediately exit the building.

0:14

Please use the exit to the left right or front of the council chamber or the east or west stairwell outside the rear doors of the chamber.

0:20

Do not use elevators or escalators.

0:22

At the exiting the building, security will direct everyone down 9th Street to the assembly area located inside the former public safety building parking lot.

0:31

Able persons should assist visually inheriting pay of visitors with exiting the building.

0:35

Persons which should speak during a public comment period or public hearings are generally allowed three minutes to speak.

0:41

Persons appearing before the committee are now allowed to campaign for public office, promote power business ventures, use language or personal nature, which is also demeans any person, including comments directed at public officials or staff members that are not related to the official duties or just to question staff members directly.

0:57

All questions need be directed to the committee chair.

0:59

Fail to head to the guidelines, may result in speakers fulfilling any meaning time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which can include barring from attendance at future means of the committee for a period of six months.

1:12

We will now move on to the approval of the minutes.

1:14

The minutes to be approved are from the February 24th, 2026 public safety staying in committee meeting.

1:19

If there are no amendments or corrections, then those meeting minutes stand approved as presented.

1:23

Those minutes have been approved.

1:26

Um we would now um call for the papers for the consideration.

1:31

Public comment will follow after item one, ordinance 2026 057 to accept funds of 225,388 dollars from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and to appropriate the increase of the FY26 special fund budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriate to Department of Police Police Operations ceasefire special fund for the purpose of improving community safety.

2:00

Item two, ordinance 2026 058 to amend ordinance number 2025 057, which adopted the FY26 special fund budget by increasing anticipated revenues by two million dollars from certain fines and fees collected from the safety camera program, creating a new special fund for the department of police entitled the safety camera program special fund for the purpose of funding the safety camera program envision zero action plan and item four ordinance 2026 072 to accept funds of 150,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and to amend the FY26 special fund budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Emergency Communications Preparedness and Response called the FY26 NG 911 additional funding special fund for the purpose of implementing a transcription service for radio transmission.

2:58

Those papers are before the committee and will be considered in a block.

3:03

Do we have anyone that would like to provide the committee with any description of the following papers?

3:18

Good afternoon, Chair Tramm.

3:19

Rick Edwards, the chief of police for the city of Richmond.

3:22

I'll speak to ordinance 26-057.

3:27

Uh this funding will be used from DCGS by RPD to assist in violent crime overtime.

3:35

We'll also be utilizing that to hire a gun violence analyst and send officers to additional training to combat gun violence.

3:45

Particularly, as I mentioned before, we'll have a program starting on Friday called Spring Forward, where we will have additional officers in high crime neighborhoods during RPS's spring break over that 10-day period to ensure our youth are safe and sound during that specific time period.

4:05

Happy to answer any questions related to this specific topic.

4:10

Just one question.

4:11

Chief, how many officers are you are you on staff right now?

4:15

We have 604 sworn officers.

4:18

How many?

4:18

604.

4:20

And how many supposed to have?

4:24

Thank you.

4:30

Thank you.

4:30

Is there anyone from the city administration I would like to provide the committee with a description of item for item four?

4:37

What the purpose of item four?

4:44

Jackie Krotz, Deputy Director for the Technology Division, merchant communications preparedness response.

4:49

Uh this ordinance is in regards to um for us to implement a uh radio transcriptions for uh the communications officers that will convert live radio uh traffic in real time with time stamps and make it searchable.

5:07

I'm sure you have any questions for me.

5:13

Just one question.

5:14

Is there going to be since you're using AI to transcribe?

5:17

Is there going to be a human element that reviews those transcriptions to ensure accuracy?

5:23

The transcriptions is going to be able to the communication officer will be able to review the transcriptions and basically if they miss something, they can go back and they can search and pick up a word or whatever was maybe missed.

5:37

And correct it.

5:38

Not necessarily correct it, but basically reinforce what they heard.

5:45

Okay.

5:46

Thank you.

5:47

All right, we would now move on to the public hearing for these items.

5:52

Is there anyone that would like to speak in support of item one, two, or four?

5:57

Stating one that would like to speak in opposition of items one, two, and four.

6:03

Seeing none of the public hearing is now closed.

6:05

Bring it back to the committee.

6:08

Did anyone from city administration provide a description for item two ordinance 2026 058?

6:14

Or was that for only 2026 057?

6:22

Yeah.

6:23

Again, Chief Rick Edwards, I can speak to 26058.

6:28

This is speaking towards specific $2 million for certain fines and fees collected from the safety camera program and creating a special fund for the Department of Police entitled Safety Camera Special Fund appropriating the fiscal year 25-26 special fund budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount apportioned appropriated to the Department of Police's program to fund specifically the program itself, which does require is labor-intensive.

7:00

We have one full-time employee managing that program.

7:03

We have four part-time sworn officers who have to review each camera footage.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████37%

Emergency Communications██████████████████18%

Traffic Safety█████████████13%

Fiscal Sustainability███████████11%

Economic Development████████8%

Procedural█████5%

Cannabis Regulation███3%

Personnel Matters██2%

Community Engagement██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Richmond Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Public Safety Standing Committee met on March 24, 2026, to consider several ordinances, receive updates from the Richmond Ambulance Authority and Civilian Review Board, and hear public comments on a range of topics including retired public safety employees' cost-of-living adjustments, pedestrian safety, business closures under Operation Vaporized, and enhanced penalties for the move-over law. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Trammel, with Councilmember Abu Bakr also present.

Consent Calendar

Ordinance 2026-057 (accept $225,388 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services): Funds will support RPD violent crime overtime, hiring a gun violence analyst, and officer training. Chief Rick Edwards noted a 10-day �e2�80�9cSpring Forward�e2�80�9d program starting Friday for high-crime neighborhoods during RPS spring break.
Ordinance 2026-058 (amend FY26 budget by $2 million from safety camera fines/ fees): Creates a Safety Camera Program Special Fund to support program staff (1 FTE, 4 part-time officers reviewing footage) and the Vision Zero Action Plan.
Ordinance 2026-072 (accept $150,000 from Virginia Department of Emergency Management): Creates an NG 911 Additional Funding Special Fund to implement a radio transcription service using AI, with human review by communications officers. All three items were considered in a block. A motion to forward them to the full council with a recommendation to approve passed unanimously (Abu Bakr aye, Trammel aye).

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing on Agenda Items: No speakers spoke for or against items 1, 2, or 4. For item 3 (ordinance 2026-059), Chip Decker (CEO, Richmond Ambulance Authority) spoke in support, citing data showing faster call processing and better outcomes when EMS calls are handled by RAA.

Citizen Comment Period (non-agenda items):

Cheryl Nietzsche (retired Richmond police officer): Spoke about receiving only $96.34 per month in city retirement and urged a cost-of-living increase for all city employees, noting a 2022 report suggested no COLA until 2029 or later.
Kathy Burrell (9th district resident): Described the death of her daughter Lauren, fatally struck while crossing a street with four overhead lights; the driver was not charged. She called for legal consequences for drivers in pedestrian fatalities.
Ezad Al Shan (President, Yemeni American Association): Reported that 47 stores remain closed for months under Operation Vaporized, with minimal notice and unclear correction paths. He criticized the process as unfair and noted that the mayor canceled a meeting with 150 business owners.
Brad Hughes (first responder struck by distracted driver in 2014): Requested a city ordinance enhancing penalties under the move-over law, citing a July 2025 incident where four Richmond firefighters were injured on I-95. He proposed a $500 fine and six-month license suspension.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 2026-059 (routing EMS 911 calls to Richmond Ambulance Authority): Chief Edwards and Chip Decker highlighted that RAA is an accredited center of excellence with national standards. Chair Trammel and Councilmember Abu Bakr expressed support, noting that current dual-processing causes delays (approx. 1 minute saved) and quality assurance risks. The committee approved forwarding to full council with a recommendation to approve (unanimous).
Richmond Ambulance Authority 2025 Annual Report & Fleet Update: Chip Decker reported 61,000 responses, 43,000 transports, 98.5% patient satisfaction, and the Governor�e2�80�99s EMS Award. Financially, RAA bills $88 million annually but collects only 23% due to payer mix (76% Medicare/Medicaid). Leasing vs. purchasing: interest costs total $1 million over 5 years for ambulances and monitors. The requested FY27 subsidy is $10 million; the proposed budget includes $7.6 million from general fund plus $1 million in capital to purchase two ambulances (leaving a $2.4 million gap). RAA currently has 35 owned, 7 leased ambulances; 7 more are needed next year.
Civilian Review Board Progress Update: Manager Joe Lowry reported the board was established under Ordinance 2022-267, SOPs approved September 8, 2025. Eight members (4 appointed by council, 4 by mayor) have completed training including ride-alongs. To date, five meetings held, one case reviewed, three pending. Cases are reviewed by a subcommittee; full board findings require a 6-of-8 vote. Summary reports go to police chief and city attorney before public release. The board meets monthly, rotating locations citywide, and has a website.
RPD Crime Update: Chief Edwards reported year-to-date crime statistics: violent crime down 6%, homicides down 36%, non-fatal shootings down 24%, commercial robberies down 63% (partly attributed to vape shop closures). Property crime flat. Overall reductions build on a 12% drop last year. Chief also detailed enforcement against car takeovers: on March 21, a coordinated operation resulted in 11 stops, 12 traffic citations, 10 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony charge, and 2 vehicles towed for exhibition driving under a new state law (Va. Code 46.2-286.5) allowing 20-day impoundment.

Key Outcomes

Approvals: All four ordinances (2026-057, 058, 072, 059) were passed by the committee and forwarded to the full city council with recommendations to approve.
Commitments: Chair Trammel pledged to follow up with police chief and city attorney on pedestrian fatality consequences, COLA for retirees, and business closure processes. She also noted that upcoming reports (DPW on graffiti and legal dumping) may be expanded.
Next Steps: The Civilian Review Board will complete its first summary report and continue public outreach. RAA will negotiate fleet needs and potentially seek additional funding to cover leasing costs.

Meeting Transcript

We will now call to order this meeting of the public safety standing committee. I will now begin by reading the chamber emergency evacuation announcements and public speaker guidelines. Upon activation of the emergency alarm signal, all persons should immediately exit the building. Please use the exit to the left right or front of the council chamber or the east or west stairwell outside the rear doors of the chamber. Do not use elevators or escalators. At the exiting the building, security will direct everyone down 9th Street to the assembly area located inside the former public safety building parking lot. Able persons should assist visually inheriting pay of visitors with exiting the building. Persons which should speak during a public comment period or public hearings are generally allowed three minutes to speak. Persons appearing before the committee are now allowed to campaign for public office, promote power business ventures, use language or personal nature, which is also demeans any person, including comments directed at public officials or staff members that are not related to the official duties or just to question staff members directly. All questions need be directed to the committee chair. Fail to head to the guidelines, may result in speakers fulfilling any meaning time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which can include barring from attendance at future means of the committee for a period of six months. We will now move on to the approval of the minutes. The minutes to be approved are from the February 24th, 2026 public safety staying in committee meeting. If there are no amendments or corrections, then those meeting minutes stand approved as presented. Those minutes have been approved. Um we would now um call for the papers for the consideration. Public comment will follow after item one, ordinance 2026 057 to accept funds of 225,388 dollars from the Department of Criminal Justice Services and to appropriate the increase of the FY26 special fund budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriate to Department of Police Police Operations ceasefire special fund for the purpose of improving community safety. Item two, ordinance 2026 058 to amend ordinance number 2025 057, which adopted the FY26 special fund budget by increasing anticipated revenues by two million dollars from certain fines and fees collected from the safety camera program, creating a new special fund for the department of police entitled the safety camera program special fund for the purpose of funding the safety camera program envision zero action plan and item four ordinance 2026 072 to accept funds of 150,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and to amend the FY26 special fund budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Emergency Communications Preparedness and Response called the FY26 NG 911 additional funding special fund for the purpose of implementing a transcription service for radio transmission. Those papers are before the committee and will be considered in a block. Do we have anyone that would like to provide the committee with any description of the following papers? Good afternoon, Chair Tramm. Rick Edwards, the chief of police for the city of Richmond. I'll speak to ordinance 26-057. Uh this funding will be used from DCGS by RPD to assist in violent crime overtime. We'll also be utilizing that to hire a gun violence analyst and send officers to additional training to combat gun violence. Particularly, as I mentioned before, we'll have a program starting on Friday called Spring Forward, where we will have additional officers in high crime neighborhoods during RPS's spring break over that 10-day period to ensure our youth are safe and sound during that specific time period. Happy to answer any questions related to this specific topic. Just one question. Chief, how many officers are you are you on staff right now? We have 604 sworn officers. How many? 604. And how many supposed to have? Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone from the city administration I would like to provide the committee with a description of item for item four? What the purpose of item four? Jackie Krotz, Deputy Director for the Technology Division, merchant communications preparedness response. Uh this ordinance is in regards to um for us to implement a uh radio transcriptions for uh the communications officers that will convert live radio uh traffic in real time with time stamps and make it searchable. I'm sure you have any questions for me. Just one question. Is there going to be since you're using AI to transcribe? Is there going to be a human element that reviews those transcriptions to ensure accuracy? The transcriptions is going to be able to the communication officer will be able to review the transcriptions and basically if they miss something, they can go back and they can search and pick up a word or whatever was maybe missed. And correct it. Not necessarily correct it, but basically reinforce what they heard. Okay. Thank you. All right, we would now move on to the public hearing for these items. Is there anyone that would like to speak in support of item one, two, or four?

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Richmond Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026

Consent Calendar

Ordinance 2026-057 (accept $225,388 from the Department of Criminal Justice Services): Funds will support RPD violent crime overtime, hiring a gun violence analyst, and officer training. Chief Rick Edwards noted a 10-day �e2�80�9cSpring Forward�e2�80�9d program starting Friday for high-crime neighborhoods during RPS spring break.

Ordinance 2026-058 (amend FY26 budget by $2 million from safety camera fines/ fees): Creates a Safety Camera Program Special Fund to support program staff (1 FTE, 4 part-time officers reviewing footage) and the Vision Zero Action Plan.

Ordinance 2026-072 (accept $150,000 from Virginia Department of Emergency Management): Creates an NG 911 Additional Funding Special Fund to implement a radio transcription service using AI, with human review by communications officers. All three items were considered in a block. A motion to forward them to the full council with a recommendation to approve passed unanimously (Abu Bakr aye, Trammel aye).

Public Comments & Testimony

Citizen Comment Period (non-agenda items):

Cheryl Nietzsche (retired Richmond police officer): Spoke about receiving only $96.34 per month in city retirement and urged a cost-of-living increase for all city employees, noting a 2022 report suggested no COLA until 2029 or later.

Kathy Burrell (9th district resident): Described the death of her daughter Lauren, fatally struck while crossing a street with four overhead lights; the driver was not charged. She called for legal consequences for drivers in pedestrian fatalities.

Ezad Al Shan (President, Yemeni American Association): Reported that 47 stores remain closed for months under Operation Vaporized, with minimal notice and unclear correction paths. He criticized the process as unfair and noted that the mayor canceled a meeting with 150 business owners.

Brad Hughes (first responder struck by distracted driver in 2014): Requested a city ordinance enhancing penalties under the move-over law, citing a July 2025 incident where four Richmond firefighters were injured on I-95. He proposed a $500 fine and six-month license suspension.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 2026-059 (routing EMS 911 calls to Richmond Ambulance Authority): Chief Edwards and Chip Decker highlighted that RAA is an accredited center of excellence with national standards. Chair Trammel and Councilmember Abu Bakr expressed support, noting that current dual-processing causes delays (approx. 1 minute saved) and quality assurance risks. The committee approved forwarding to full council with a recommendation to approve (unanimous).

Richmond Ambulance Authority 2025 Annual Report & Fleet Update: Chip Decker reported 61,000 responses, 43,000 transports, 98.5% patient satisfaction, and the Governor�e2�80�99s EMS Award. Financially, RAA bills $88 million annually but collects only 23% due to payer mix (76% Medicare/Medicaid). Leasing vs. purchasing: interest costs total $1 million over 5 years for ambulances and monitors. The requested FY27 subsidy is $10 million; the proposed budget includes $7.6 million from general fund plus $1 million in capital to purchase two ambulances (leaving a $2.4 million gap). RAA currently has 35 owned, 7 leased ambulances; 7 more are needed next year.

Civilian Review Board Progress Update: Manager Joe Lowry reported the board was established under Ordinance 2022-267, SOPs approved September 8, 2025. Eight members (4 appointed by council, 4 by mayor) have completed training including ride-alongs. To date, five meetings held, one case reviewed, three pending. Cases are reviewed by a subcommittee; full board findings require a 6-of-8 vote. Summary reports go to police chief and city attorney before public release. The board meets monthly, rotating locations citywide, and has a website.

RPD Crime Update: Chief Edwards reported year-to-date crime statistics: violent crime down 6%, homicides down 36%, non-fatal shootings down 24%, commercial robberies down 63% (partly attributed to vape shop closures). Property crime flat. Overall reductions build on a 12% drop last year. Chief also detailed enforcement against car takeovers: on March 21, a coordinated operation resulted in 11 stops, 12 traffic citations, 10 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony charge, and 2 vehicles towed for exhibition driving under a new state law (Va. Code 46.2-286.5) allowing 20-day impoundment.

Key Outcomes

Approvals: All four ordinances (2026-057, 058, 072, 059) were passed by the committee and forwarded to the full city council with recommendations to approve.

Commitments: Chair Trammel pledged to follow up with police chief and city attorney on pedestrian fatality consequences, COLA for retirees, and business closure processes. She also noted that upcoming reports (DPW on graffiti and legal dumping) may be expanded.

Next Steps: The Civilian Review Board will complete its first summary report and continue public outreach. RAA will negotiate fleet needs and potentially seek additional funding to cover leasing costs.

Meeting Transcript