RICHMOND—
Update- 9/20/09- 10:45 p.m.We have an update for you about conditions along Wickham Street in Richmond.
Since our story first aired three weeks ago, changes have been made along the road.
Richmond Police tell us the City used dozens of people under court ordered community service to clean up Wickham Street. They say the crew bagged 27 bags of garbage in just six hours. Richmond's Department of Public Works also came out and trimmed up the brush.
Neighbors are crediting CBS 6 with helping get the improvements done.
Original Post- 8/31/09- 6:30 p.m.
CBS 6 is investigating what some neighbors are calling a "forgotten street."
We're talking about Wickham Street near Battery Park on Richmond's Northside. While it is offically a City street, neighbors say it looks more like a dirty alley.
Sharon North with the City's Department of Public Works says a crew is on its way to look at the street and assess the problem because of our investigation.
Neighbors say it's an open invitation for criminals. But Richmond Police say the area has gotten a lot better since the department moved its 4th precinct into the neighborhood.
Wickham Street is three blocks away from the precinct.
"I don't see as much dumping as we were seeing before we moved in. I know personally last month I submitted 218 bulk trash pickups just for the 4th precinct area alone," says Claude Picard of Richmond Police.
Picard is an environmental officer for the 4th precinct. lt's his job to work with CAPS to correct problems like this.
"Once those areas are cleaned up you don't see as much dumping as you would otherwise if you just let the area kind of go untouched or unnoticed."
The area is a target enforcement zone for any prostitution violations, meaning police are going after prostitutes and their clients.
