Richmond Police Turn to Teen Outreach After Arrests of 16- and 18-Year-Olds

Richmond police are meeting teenagers in the community after a run of violent crime arrests involving suspects as young as 16.

The department has handled violence involving people as young as 12, and arrests this month included 16- and 18-year-olds in violent crime cases. Assistant Chief Neal VanMiddlesworth, speaking with Fox 59, said he sees the same pattern as other communities: "I think what we're experiencing is the same as what communities all around the country are experiencing, just an uptick in violence associated with teens." He added, "There's just a culture of normalization, fascination with guns."

VanMiddlesworth said much of it starts on social media and turns physical when the people involved meet in person. He described driving a young person who had shot someone to a detention facility, saying the teen was polite and willing to talk. "When you get a child out of that environment, he becomes a normal child again," VanMiddlesworth said. He said the department is spending more time in the community so officers look less like strangers to teenagers. "The message to the teens of Richmond is we're here for you. At the end of the day, get to know a cop," VanMiddlesworth said. "We're not here just to arrest people but really connect with people as well." He said he believes the teenagers involved can be turned around.

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