HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — The Hopewell Police Department plans to address the recent increase in violent crimes in the area in an upcoming public meeting.
On, Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 3 p.m., the Hopewell Police Department will host a press conference addressing the recent uptick of violent crimes in the city along with other city leaders and various partners.
The meeting is set to take place at the Hopewell Police Department building, located at 150 W. Randolph Rd. in Hopewell.
For the last year, Hopewell’s police force has worked alongside other state and federal agencies, as well as other community organizations, to combat violent crime. According to police, homicides have decreased by 71% and overall crime has been reduced by 40%.
However, police said the landscape of public safety changed drastically on July 20, which prompted renewed efforts and an urgent response from law enforcement units and leaders in the community.
A double shooting took place in Hopewell in the early morning hours of July 21, leaving two men dead . Additionally, a woman reportedly fled city police by jumping into a marina on July 16. She was arrested a week later, on July 23.