News & Announcements
March 15 Is Deadline for Transportation Safety Grant Applications
February 25, 2010 | Virginia News
Submissions Accepted Through DMV WebsiteRICHMOND - DMV's Virginia Highway Safety Office (VAHSO) is accepting applications to support programs throughout Virginia that strive to reduce traffic deaths and injuries. The deadline for transportation safety grant submissions is March 15, 2010.
Williamsburg police chief to retire
February 24, 2010 | Virginia News
Chief Mike Yost, 2006-2007 VACP President, served the city for 34 yearsWILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) - The Williamsburg chief of police has announced his retirement to the city council Tuesday.
Police Chief Mike Yost has served as an officer for 34 years, and as chief since 1996.
Crime dip in S.W. Va. defies foul economy
February 23, 2010 | Virginia News
Some warn against reading too much into a single year's fluctuations.Law enforcement agencies in Roanoke and the surrounding region report that major crime dipped in 2009. Roanoke's drop was especially steep, with four fewer murders, 55 fewer aggravated assaults, 23 fewer rapes, 19 fewer robberies and 67 fewer burglaries than in 2008, according to figures the police department assembled for FBI reports that will be made public next month. Major crime in Roanoke dropped in every category except arson, which rose by six reported incidents.
"That has been a pleasant surprise," said Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell, who credited federal money that blunted unemployment and spending cuts. "A lot of programs that help the disadvantaged survived another year."
Caldwell predicted "an increase in larceny-type crimes" once stimulus funds dry up and social services agency budget cuts take effect in July.
External Link to ArticleColumbia, SC police help out small Va. dept.
February 19, 2010 | Virginia News
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Clinchco, Va., has 420 people, a grocery store and a town truck the locals call "Fred Flintstone" because you can see through the floorboards.It also has a police department, with four officers and two police cars. With a town budget of less than $100,000, Police Chief Marty Davis was close to shutting the department down earlier this year.
But Davis, who also works as a park ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers, remembered a job offer he had from the Columbia Police Department in 1983, before he was old enough to drink. He thought if the department was willing to help him 26 years ago, maybe it would help him now.
General Assembly | Where it stands at the halfway point
February 18, 2010 | Virginia News
Midway through the General Assembly session, the single biggest issue – how to make up a $4 billion budget shortfall – is just beginning to be debated, with both houses set to unveil their budget proposals Sunday.Nonetheless, legislators have already weighed in on a host of other issues. And there’s talk of one, possibly two, special sessions to come later this year to discuss transportation and restructuring state government.
Here’s a scorecard of the major issues so far. Of the 2,649 bills introduced, more than half are still alive.
Bills to boost speed limit, ease gun restrictions pass Senate
February 17, 2010 | Virginia News
Bills that would boost speed limits on some Virginia highways, allow handgun owners to lock weapons in their cars and permit those with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into restaurants each gained approval in Virginia's Senate on Tuesday.Nomination Forms for 2010 Governor’s Transportation Safety Awards Now Available
February 11, 2010 | Virginia News
The Governor's Transportation Safety Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made contributions to transportation safety in Virginia.Repeal of radar detector ban advancing in Virginia House
February 4, 2010 | Virginia News
For motorists hankering to zip along the highways unfettered by the heavy hand of law enforcement, this is shaping up to be a very friendly General Assembly session.Already, the Senate and House of Delegates have voted to raise the speed limit on interstate highways to 70 mph, a measure championed by Gov. Bob McDonnell. Now a proposal to repeal Virginia’s longstanding, unique-in-the-nation ban on radar detectors is advancing through the House.
Del. Joe May’s bill, HB 674, was approved 11-8 by the House Transportation Committee this morning and now moves to the House floor. May, R-Leesburg, is the committee chairman.
External Link to ArticleManassas police chief retiring May 1
February 1, 2010 | VACP
MANASSAS, Va.—Manassas police Chief John J. Skinner announced Monday that he will retire May 1. He retired as chief of the Fairfax city department in 1998.Skinner, who has been chief of the Manassas Police Department for 12 years, said he might try some golf when he and his wife, Shirley, winter in Phoenix but he’s not sure about that.
“I’m going to see in retirement if I have the patience. I know I don’t have the talent,” said the 57-year-old Skinner said of his golfing abilities.
Skinner alsp plans to volunteer and put his experience to use in retirement.
“I hope to do some law enforcement training ... for the feds, for the International Association of Chiefs of Police or the National Sheriff’s Association,” he said. “I have interviewed with Phoenix P.D. I intend to volunteer through their Volunteer In Police Services program.”
