RICHMOND, Va (WTVR)- There were several Southside murders in September and since then, a community has been begging for help and protection.
It's what pushed the Richmond Police Dept. and their federal partners to take a closer look at crime-fighting by blanketing three neighborhoods with manpower.
The recent bloodshed that's stained the streets in this Southside community is causing some to make a drastic change.
One homeowner on Halifax Street, too scared to share her story on TV, said Friday was moving day because she’s worried her children ages 2 and 11, aren't safe anymore.
Others are putting on a brave face. "I'm not afraid,” said one woman, who said she's doing the exact opposite, staying put in a community she has called home for ten years.
She admits she's gone toe-to-toe with what she calls disrespectful youth, but she's not backing down
"I cuss them out, they cuss me out,” she said. “I was scared to come on my porch, you know, but I thought, ‘this is crazy.’"
Richmond Police and their federal partners say they are hearing the cries for help and were putting Southside on notice Friday.
For the next three months, officers and the federal agents will be conducting a crime sweep. The blitz kicked off Friday with house calls and search warrants.
"I don't want to say this search warrant is related to the homicide, but you never know," said Maj. Steve Drew.
On horseback and on foot, the ATF, the U-S Marshals and police are working with information “ammunition” provided by neighbors who are simply fed up, saying the days of looking the other way are over.
"We used to turn a blind eye,” said the neighbor who’s not leaving. “We got [City Council Member] Reva Trammell though, and it means something, because we can't let them do it by themselves."
