Richmond leaders discuss strategies to regulate existing vape shops
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond leaders discussed strategies to regulate existing vape shops during a public safety meeting on Tuesday. It's part of the city's continued efforts to crack down on illegal vape shop activity.
The prevalence of these businesses in Richmond and the surrounding areas has become an increasing concern for residents and law enforcement.
"Our officers did an audit throughout the city -- there's 87 [vape shops] throughout the city," said Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards during the meeting on Tuesday, Oct 28. "We have more vape shops than probably any other store in our city."
According to Edwards, local vape shops have become tied to crime as the businesses are either targeted by thieves or accused of illegal activity. Richmond Police say its officers have executed 10 search warrants so far this year, seizing 75 pounds of marijuana, THC products and 10 guns. In some cases, shops were found operating without a license.
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"They don't always register with the cities, because they don't even apply for the license, they're just setting up shop," Edwards said.
While some shops have been shut down because of code violations, Edwards says the majority of the raided shops quickly reopened and resumed activity.
Richmond Police plans to address shops that are repeat offenders by working alongside city departments on a more strategic approach.
"If you are attracting criminal activity, we can petition the court to take some action," said Kevin Vonck, director of the Department of Planning & Development Review. "You can bring a more larger, robust case, saying that they're all sorts of violations going on here."
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Edwards said Richmond Police can also enforce the city's drug blight ordinance, which would allow him to execute an affidavit on shops that are permitting illegal activity.
"Every time we execute one of those warrants, not only is there a crime committed that day, but the day we first got the probable cause," Edwards said. "Oftentimes we're able to look back and find other crimes related to those shops."
Councilmember Stephanie Lynch weighed the idea of increasing the tax on liquid tobacco, which she says is currently 11 cents.
"If you can't push them out through policy, tax them out," she said. "I'll be all about that."
During the meeting, councilmember Sarah Abubaker also asked how the community could assist Richmond Police in identifying vape shops that are operating illegally. Edwards explained that many vape shop raids actually stem from community tips.
He encouraged residents to call Richmond Police's non-emergency number if they notice any suspicious activity. That number is 804-646-5100.
