After detectives broke up a sideshow at a historic World War II monument, Richmond police were involved in a pursuit Sunday evening that resulted in the arrest of two suspects, according to authorities.
The sideshow action was captured on drone footage. Prior to Richmond police patrol cars arriving and pursuing, automobiles were observed circling the General Warehouse parking lot.
However, Tom Butt, a former mayor of Richmond, is only frustrated when he sees the tire marks that have been left behind. During World War II, the city’s bustling shipyard included the General Warehouse, which is now a national landmark.
Butt claims that nobody handles it that way.
“You can see there’s broken glass and trash all over this parking lot,” remarked Butt. “People frequently visit this area. Graffiti is what they do. They perform in sideshows. At one sideshow, someone really crashed their vehicle through the Riggers Loft’s overhead door.
According to Butt, the behavior has become normalized by local government officials, which is the true issue. He contends that situations like Sunday’s would be rare if the city treated sideshows seriously.
“We have fewer police and fewer police resources than we used to have,” Butt stated. “And second of all, they actually embrace sideshows.”
Cesar Zepeda, a councilman for District 2, the location of the sideshow, argued that the city hasn’t done more to stop such instances.
“With the use of roundabouts, fences, barriers, cameras, traffic calming techniques, and roadway engineering. And we’re considering alternatives to the police to supply those instruments,” Zepeda stated.
According to Zepeda, fresh cameras were set up close to Canal Blvd., the location of the most recent performance. The two arrests from Sunday’s action, he said, are proof that the system is operating slowly.
“We’re looking at every other car that was present at the moment. Additionally, every single one of them was captured on our city’s cameras or on social media cameras, which captured a lot of them, if they had a license plate or their face. “We’ll pursue them,” Zepeda declared.
Although Butt expressed gratitude for the arrests, he believes that the only way to truly make a difference is for local government to undergo a cultural shift.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.