Henrico police chief provides crime update during community meeting after vandalism incidents
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Henrico County Police Division answered questions from community members during a meeting following a recent string of vandalism incidents. The meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Sandston Elementary School, with a number of county leaders in attendance, including Board of Supervisors Chair Tyrone Nelson. RELATED: Henrico Police investigating string of vandalisms targeting West Broad Street businesses A recent spike in vandalism incidents -- across both Henrico and the City of Richmond -- served as the main topic of discussion for those in attendance. On Oct. 19, more than two dozen cars and homes were damaged, according to police. Doorbell camera footage captured what appeared to be suspects using an airsoft gun while driving a small sedan. Henrico County Chief of Police Eric D. English assured community members that officers were working to identify the culprits. Both Henrico officers and Richmond officers are reportedly working alongside one another on the case. According to English, there has been an increase in burglaries, larcenies and larcenies from vehicles from Jan. 1 to Nov. 12 this year, compared to the same time last year. Despite the increase, English said that police have actually increased their productivity in the area of Sandston year-over-year. In 2024, 218 traffic stops were made in the area -- a 51% increase from the 144 traffic stops made the year before. English said one of the challenges facing the Henrico County Police Division is staffing shortages. In 2023, there were 61 open positions, in 2024 there are 82, according to police. In 2021, nearly all positions were filled with only one vacancy. English explained that the sharp increase in vacancies is also due, in part, to an increase in the maximum number of available positions -- from 662 in 2021 to 702 in 2024. According to English, the majority of the staffing attrition can be attributed to retirements from older officers. When community members asked what they could do to help, English emphasized communication with police and sharing videos as the most essential ways to assist. Anyone with information or video of the suspects is encouraged to upload them to the Community Portal or email them to police@henrico.gov.
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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Henrico County Police Division answered questions from community members during a meeting following a recent string of vandalism incidents.
The meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Sandston Elementary School, with a number of county leaders in attendance, including Board of Supervisors Chair Tyrone Nelson.
RELATED: Henrico Police investigating string of vandalisms targeting West Broad Street businesses
A recent spike in vandalism incidents -- across both Henrico and the City of Richmond -- served as the main topic of discussion for those in attendance.
On Oct. 19, more than two dozen cars and homes were damaged, according to police. Doorbell camera footage captured what appeared to be suspects using an airsoft gun while driving a small sedan.
Henrico County Chief of Police Eric D. English assured community members that officers were working to identify the culprits. Both Henrico officers and Richmond officers are reportedly working alongside one another on the case.
According to English, there has been an increase in burglaries, larcenies and larcenies from vehicles from Jan. 1 to Nov. 12 this year, compared to the same time last year.
Despite the increase, English said that police have actually increased their productivity in the area of Sandston year-over-year. In 2024, 218 traffic stops were made in the area -- a 51% increase from the 144 traffic stops made the year before.
English said one of the challenges facing the Henrico County Police Division is staffing shortages. In 2023, there were 61 open positions, in 2024 there are 82, according to police. In 2021, nearly all positions were filled with only one vacancy. English explained that the sharp increase in vacancies is also due, in part, to an increase in the maximum number of available positions -- from 662 in 2021 to 702 in 2024.
According to English, the majority of the staffing attrition can be attributed to retirements from older officers.
When community members asked what they could do to help, English emphasized communication with police and sharing videos as the most essential ways to assist.
Anyone with information or video of the suspects is encouraged to upload them to the Community Portal or email them to police@henrico.gov.
