Media / Press

Beyond the Crime: CPD, Community Organizations and Commonwealth’s Attorney Working to Stop Gun Violence

NBC29

By Isabel Cleary
Published: May. 24, 2023 at 1:46 PM EDT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Police, community organizations, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney are working to stop gun violence in Charlottesville.

“It’s fair to say that over the last probably four years that it’s steadily increased. We’ve had some spike years. I think 2020 was a fairly high year. 2022, we had another spike,” Captain Tony Newberry with the Charlottesville Police Department said.

Each shooting is often followed by online chatter, but then there is silence.

“It seemed like nobody gives it attention ‘till you get a couple people shot or killed,” B.U.C.K Squad Executive Director Herb Dickerson said. “Like right now, people think it’s a calm going on, but it’s really not.”

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They’re Committed to Interrupting Violence

VPM News

From: Angie Miles

Date: December 8 2022, 02:41

Charlottesville has drawn national attention because of the horrific murders of three student athletes in November.  But prior to the tragedy, gun-related murders had decreased in the city over the past two years, bucking both statewide trends.  That may be due to the crime-prevention efforts of those committed to interrupting violence. Two such non-profits have received city funding to resolve conflicts before they become violent. One is Peace in the Streets. The other is the BUCK Squad.

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This Group May Be Responsible For A Sudden Decrease In Charlottesville Shootings — And They Need Help

Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 2021

A burst of gunfire woke Claude Booker Jr. from a deep sleep one night last November.

The 13-year-old felt a rush of terror. His thoughts turned immediately to his little cousin, asleep upstairs in his aunt’s South First Street home. The shots continued as Claude leapt to his feet, forgetting his glasses, and tore up the steps.

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CITIZEN PRAISES B.U.C.K. SQUAD RESPONSE

Excerpt from Facebook

From: Naomi Starr

Date: Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 3:07 PM

…It was 8pm Monday night Feb 22nd at 8pm we heard about 7 shots fired and I had to grab my 7 1/2 and 9 year old daughters and lay flat on the ground. My husband saw the car speed away and my 9 year old saw the shots outside our window of our living room…

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