Last week, Martinsville Police Chief Robert “Rob” Fincher was among those to gather with Gov. Glenn Youngkin during a celebration of the successes of Operation Bold Blue Line (OBBL) and Attorney General Jason Miyares’ Ceasefire Virginia over the last two years.
Also at the event, Youngkin the governor announced the latest results from the partnerships between Virginia State Police (VSP) and local law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth that have been strengthened through Operation Bold Blue Line.
So far this year, due to innovative law enforcement partnerships like Operation Bold Blue Line we have seen a 34% decrease in murders and a 12% decrease in violent crimes in OBBL cities. There has been a double digit decrease in every violent crime category in OBBL cities overall. Additionally, violent crime across the Commonwealth has gone down by 11%.
“In coordination with the Attorney General’s Ceasefire Virginia Initiative, we launched Operation Bold Blue Line two years ago to reduce violent crime and enhance law enforcement partnerships across Virginia. Virginia State Police, local law enforcement and our federal partners are improving safety in our communities, interdicting illegal drug and gang activity, reinforcing community engagement and enforcing tougher penalties for violent criminals,” Youngkin said. “Today, we celebrate the success of these innovative law enforcement partnerships that execute on an all-of-the-above approach that have brought forth safer communities and reduced violence and criminal activity in cities across the Commonwealth.”
“Ceasefire Virginia’s targeted actions to dismantle networks of violent crime is working,” Miyares said. “By focusing on the small percentage of individuals committing a disproportionate share of serious violence, our message is clear: if you endanger Virginians’ lives and terrorize our neighborhoods with violence, the Commonwealth of Virginia will ensure you face the full force of justice. There is no escaping the consequences.”
“The Martinsville Police Department is proud to be a part of and celebrate the second anniversary of Operation Bold Blue Line and Ceasefire Virginia,” Fincher said.
The chief has said Martinsville is one of several localities to participate in the programs, with federal and state authorities joining local officers to resolve open homicide cases.
“This partnership between Governor Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares, federal law enforcement and prosecutors, state law enforcement and prosecutors, local law enforcement and prosecutors, and supported by a bipartisan effort in the state legislature has made great progress in reducing and preventing crime across the Commonwealth. We look forward to the continued efforts of this partnership to help make our communities safer,” Fincher said.
