Lt. James Laino’s Sector 111 Report for September is now available (PDF):

During the month of August the neighborhoods of Chimborazo, Oakwood and Church Hill had over forty reports of vandalism to vehicles and vacant homes. Detective Calvin Layne was able to identify three juveniles who were responsible for a majority of the crimes and put an end to their crime spree.

During this reporting period Sector 111 officers answered 1740 radio calls, compiled 176 reports and investigated 13 vehicle accidents. They also made 139 misdemeanor arrests, 24 felony arrests, executed 66 warrants, issued 73 traffic summons, conducted 97 field interviews and seized 4 guns.

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Lt.Martin Harrison’s Sector 113 Community Report for September 2008 (PDF) is now available. Includes a Top 5 Wanted, information on an arrest for burglaries in Fairfield and Whitcomb Courts, a list of recent prostitution arrests and locations, and a mention of the officers that volunteered to sponsor George Mason Elementary School for Holloween Gift bags and officers that volunteer as coaches for youth athletics at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (1701 N 22nd St).

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From the RPD’s Noteworthy Events: n 9/29/08 @ 7:05PM 1810 Q Street - “A male reported he was shot by an unknown suspect. A female reported she was assaulted by an unknown suspect. The male’s injuries are not life threatening.”

A hit&run today at Fairmount & 23rd Street put one of the cars up into a porch. Witnesses to the accident report a Kia with 2 girls in it may have been seen leaving the scene.

Just announced is the second annual Long Walk to Freedom, set for Saturday, October 11th, 2008 at Richmond City Jail (1701 Fairfield Way). The walk is “symbolic of the difficulties and struggles that an incarcerated individual faces as he or she strives to re-enter society. A smoother transition is made possible through the aid of solution providers– food services, counseling services, legal aid, education opportunities, job training, and housing.”

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A press release issued this morning by the Richmond Police Department and the City Attorney’s Office seeks “to advise residents not to believe any letters they may receive that offer to buy their homes to save them from demolition.”

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Four police cars haul ass down from 25th Street down Broad Street to the Hill Cafe. I asked one of the officers on the scene what was going on, he says “Nothing” and pointedly walks away.

A man was apparently shot in the leg at about 8:40PM this evening in the parking lot behind Shiloh Baptist Church at Carrington and Russell Streets. Neighbors report hearing 3 or 4 shots, followed by a woman calling for help.

The Richmond Police daily crime report has 2 recent armed robberies in the area, one at 24th&Marshall and another on the 400 block of 28th Street.

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Scoot Richmond has the story about the theft and recovery of a scooter from somewhere up around here:

James, a Church Hill resident, had his vintage orange Vespa stolen a couple of months ago. He parked it one night and woke up the next day to find it gone. He called the cops and resigned himself to the fact that it was probably gone for good. [...]

Nine months into the position, Commander Paul Ronca of the First Precinct has retired to take a chief of police position in Pennsylvania. Jack King, known to many from his time as the Lieutenant for Sector 111, will cover the Precinct until a decision is made, first about the Chief and then about promotions. Commander Paul Ronca made a very good impression in his time atop the Precinct and will be missed in the community.

A message from James N. Pitts, RPD Neighborhood Assistance Officer: “Attached you will find a copy of the September 2008 Neighborhood Watch Newsletter for your members. Again, if there is anything any Watch group wishes to include in the next Neighborhood Watch Newsletter get it to me before the next issue. Looking for Neighborhood Watch events, social functions, community events, etc. Let the entire City know about what you are doing.” Download the August 2008 Neighborhood Watch newsletter.

Daniel has the bird’s-eye take on the aftermath of a shooting last night near M & 31st Streets:

It seems that the shooting took place about a block from our house and then the guy rode his bike over to our block and collapsed. The police showed up and quickly got him away in an ambulance. They then proceeded to block off a HUGE area and do a lot of talking. We got to talk to some neighbors, police officers and reporters.

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The funeral for 16-year-old Ricky M. Burton, who was shot Aug. 10 in Henrico County, is today at 1 PM at Chiles Funeral Home on Fairmount Avenue. The funeral for 5-year-old Dominique Carter is tomorrow at noon, also at Chiles Funeral Home. [via]

We’ve received a first-hand report of a mugging on the 2000 block of Princess Anne Avenue:

Friday night around 10pm I was mugged on my front porch on Princess Anne Ave after walking home from the Patrick Henry Inn. A dark sedan stopped across the street by the Jefferson Park and a man, of dark complexion and around 5′10″-6′0″ and 250lbs., got out of the car and ran up on my porch, stuck his hand in my front pocket and took my cell phone. [...] The police arrived within minutes and a full report was provided to them. [...] I am reporting this incident to you so that folks in our neighborhood can be aware that criminals in the area are engaging in this behavior. Hopefully we can be vigilant and aware, and avoid this happening to anyone else in our neighborhood.

A 5-year-old girl was accidentally shot in the head by a 10-year-old boy inside a home at 24th and M Streets just after 11PM last night. Judy Wright, the boy’s mother and the owner of the gun, was at work when the shooting took place and has been charged with felony child neglect. The 10-year-old and a 2-year-old also in the house were scooped up by social services. [via]

A sleeping woman was hit by a stray bullet that came in through the window of her Oakwood Avenue home. [via]

The RPD announced “seven prostitution and drug-related arrests this morning in the Fairmont (sic) and Jefferson Davis neighborhoods of Richmond” sparked by citizen complaints. [via]

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About 35 people showed up Saturday morning for the 7th District Meeting hosted by Delores McQuinn at Mt.Tabor Baptist Church on Fairmount Avenue. The meeting agenda included the city budget conflict, the Downtown Master Plan (and Echo Harbor), crime, and community concerns.

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Joseph Clifford Johnson, 36, of the 900 block of North 30th Street, was shot and killed today in central Goochland County after he allegedly entered an unlocked house trailer and struggled with the homeowner. [via]