Only On 8: Hopewell Police sit down with 8News, break down crime of 2024
HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — Two top officials with the Hopewell City Police Department discussed the numbers behind the major crimes of 2024 in an exclusive interview on Monday. Chief Greg Taylor and Deputy Chief Donald Reid sat down with 8News on Monday, Jan. 27. They talked about what's improving, what's not and the department's plans for the future. As of Dec. 30, 2024, here's what crime statistics in the city look like: (Photo: Hopewell City Police Department) "The areas of concern have been -- the aggravated assaults have increased, and also larceny of autos," Taylor said. Reid added that group violence played a significant role in the 18% increase in aggravated assaults last year. "That can be homegrown gang violence -- and it's groups of individuals," Reid said. "Sometimes, after a shooting incident, there's a retaliatory shooting." Though there's been a 0% change in the number of homicides between 2023 and 2024, Reid highlighted the city's decision to partner with local non-profit Real Life and bring in the Project Saf (Safe, Alive and Free) group intervention initiative. The initiative identifies a group of individuals who are associated with the vast majority of violence. Life coaches of the program then make contact with those individuals to tailor their outreach, meeting their respective needs and circumstances with the message: "We want you safe, alive and free." "They even go to their house and give them a custom notification," Taylor said. "[They say] 'You've been identified as someone they may shoot and we have help for you through education and housing and employment opportunities.'" Reid said the department has seen a positive change due to this program. "We've seen the results that kicked off in June of 2023 and that kind of carried over into 2024, as well," he said. "The numbers -- they are up a little bit from 2023 numbers, but they're still reduced from 2022." According to statistics from the department, the city saw a 75% increase in violent crime in 2022 compared to the year prior. (Photo: Hopewell City Police Department) Despite the increase in some numbers, the city has also reported decreases, which include a 55% decrease in robberies and a 27% decrease in burglaries in 2024. As of the end of 2024, the city reported a nearly 50% drop in fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses, which officials attribute to a push toward education. Taylor told 8News that continued engagement will be the goal of the department. He is reminding residents of the department's social media handles in hopes of remaining connected. "We just need to continue to go out in the community and engage the community and continue to give people that trust and get their support," Taylor said. Here's where you can find the Hopewell Police Department online: Facebook Instagram X
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HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — Two top officials with the Hopewell City Police Department discussed the numbers behind the major crimes of 2024 in an exclusive interview on Monday.
Chief Greg Taylor and Deputy Chief Donald Reid sat down with 8News on Monday, Jan. 27. They talked about what's improving, what's not and the department's plans for the future.
As of Dec. 30, 2024, here's what crime statistics in the city look like:
(Photo: Hopewell City Police Department)
"The areas of concern have been -- the aggravated assaults have increased, and also larceny of autos," Taylor said.
Reid added that group violence played a significant role in the 18% increase in aggravated assaults last year.
"That can be homegrown gang violence -- and it's groups of individuals," Reid said. "Sometimes, after a shooting incident, there's a retaliatory shooting."
Though there's been a 0% change in the number of homicides between 2023 and 2024, Reid highlighted the city's decision to partner with local non-profit Real Life and bring in the Project Saf (Safe, Alive and Free) group intervention initiative.
The initiative identifies a group of individuals who are associated with the vast majority of violence.
Life coaches of the program then make contact with those individuals to tailor their outreach, meeting their respective needs and circumstances with the message: "We want you safe, alive and free."
"They even go to their house and give them a custom notification," Taylor said. "[They say] 'You've been identified as someone they may shoot and we have help for you through education and housing and employment opportunities.'"
Reid said the department has seen a positive change due to this program.
"We've seen the results that kicked off in June of 2023 and that kind of carried over into 2024, as well," he said. "The numbers -- they are up a little bit from 2023 numbers, but they're still reduced from 2022."
According to statistics from the department, the city saw a 75% increase in violent crime in 2022 compared to the year prior.
(Photo: Hopewell City Police Department)
Despite the increase in some numbers, the city has also reported decreases, which include a 55% decrease in robberies and a 27% decrease in burglaries in 2024.
As of the end of 2024, the city reported a nearly 50% drop in fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses, which officials attribute to a push toward education.
Taylor told 8News that continued engagement will be the goal of the department. He is reminding residents of the department's social media handles in hopes of remaining connected.
"We just need to continue to go out in the community and engage the community and continue to give people that trust and get their support," Taylor said.
Here's where you can find the Hopewell Police Department online:
