Gov. Youngkin ‘most concerned’ about elevated crime rate in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Virginia’s governor says elevated police funding will assist curb crime as there was an uptick in violence throughout the state and Richmond.

Youngkin is pushing state lawmakers, who return to the state Capitol Wednesday, to do much more.

In Richmond, the variety of homicides continues to extend, with 17 mindless deaths thus far this yr.

A Virginia State Police crime report from 2020 reveals that reported homicides throughout the commonwealth elevated by 23.4% from the yr prior. Nonetheless, the state did see violent crime offenses total drop by 1.9%.

Youngkin says fixing the violence drawback begins with assist for legislation enforcement. With a state funds nonetheless in flux, Youngkin says it’s crucial that the lawmakers present further funding for pay raises, coaching and higher gear.

“I want a funds out of the Senate and the Home in order that we are able to present significant wage will increase for legislation enforcement, fund gear budgets, funding coaching budgets. We will go to work to get violent crime down in Virginia. There’s a giant step in entrance of us, a funds, and I want it now,” Youngkin mentioned.

A brand new WalletHub research discovered that the murder price has additionally soared in a number of cities since 2020. The research calculated murder price elevated all through the pandemic all throughout the nation. Norfolk, Virginia Seashore and Chesapeake all made the highest 50 record for top murder charges.

Police businesses in Virginia are set to get massive funds will increase below proposed state budgets, however lawmakers are nonetheless battling over the small print with no funds nonetheless perception.

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