Details are still light on this one, however a gunman in Appomattox (roughly 2 hours southwest near Lynchburg) appears to have killed 7-8 individuals, and forced a police helicopter to land after shooting holes in its fuel system.  [Info]

A masked, gun wielding individual entered the Emmet St. Comfort Inn on Sunday, and demanded money from the hotel clerk before fleeing.  The CPD is currently reviewing surveillance tapes, and hopefully a clip or pictures will be released shortly.  The unidentified hotel clerk either deserves a raise, or a gift wrapped Louisville slugger, as they apparently attacked the robber with a stapler after handing over an undisclosed sum.

Neither the vigilante clerk nor robber appear to have been injured, and police are looking for any tips, and are requesting you contact Crime Stoppers @ 434-977-4000.  [Photo Credits]

Statewide budget cuts have finally reached law enforcement agencies, with an expected 20% reduction for Charlottesville & surrounding areas.  For Alemarle County, that translates to $400,000, and staffing cuts appear to be the only remaining option.  The Community Policing program, notably responsible for DUI & traffic safety checkpoints, has been cut completely, as this past New Years was the first without such safety stops in place.

CPD may lose up to $200,000, however, Chief Tim Longo is hoping to avoid any staffing reductions.  Madison, Fluvanna, & Nelson counties are all expecting cuts, with many saying this will put them at employee levels from a decade ago.

The cuts are by no means final though, as Governor McDonell will be taking office on January 16th, and may reverse or revise the changes.

[Photo Credits]

Two police cruisers were broken into over this past weekend (12/30-01/04) at a police substation near the Walker Square apartments.  Both the marked cruiser and unmarked vehicle had their drivers side window smashed, and various items looted.  A police bag was located this morning on 6th & a Half Street, and a few items were recovered.  Of the items still missing is a model X26 Taser and a black armored vest.  Police are asking that if you have any tips, to contact Crimestoppers @ 977-4000.  [Photo Credits]

Charlottesville police are looking for leads regarding vandalism to the downtown police station over the weekend.  A window at the front of the building was apparently shot out around 9:30PM Saturday night with a BB gun, and there are also two reports of individuals being shot at, one from the JPA area.

If you have further info, or note anyone with a Red Rider, please contact Crimestoppers @ 434-977-4000.

Charlottesville City Police tased an apparently inebriated and handcuffed suspect Saturday (November 28), while he attempted to flee on foot from the Scott Stadium area.  The Newsplex was nearby and caught the “escape” from the back of police vehicle, the short chase by five officers, and the eventual use of a taser to stop the individual.

While tasers are an excellent alternative to the use of a firearm, and while we have no formal training, nor were we on site to assess the suspects danger level to himself or others, we know that these devices DO carry the possibility of long term, and occasionally, fatal effects, some even here in Virginia.  [Photo Credits]

Office Kyle Boynton was charged today for an accident stemming from this past Tuesdays (11/17) Wachovia robbery.  While responding to the call the officer & his passenger, Otis Collier, struck a Toyota Camry on route 29N near the Seminole Square area.  Neither officer was wearing their seatbelt at the time of the accident.  No one involved sustained any personal injury.

A spokesman for the CPD stated that officers are not always required to wear a seatbelt while on duty.  [Photo Credits]

The Charlottesville Police Department dropped the net on ten individuals alleged to be involved with prostitution earlier this month.  From the 1st through the 4th of November, the CPD investigated online advertisements which ’suggested’ a sexual service in exchange for money.

The department has apparently received dozens of complaints regarding online service offerings in our area.

Each of the nine women & one man were charged with a class 1 misdemeanor, carrying the possible maximum of 1 year incarceration.

We have to wonder if a quote delivered to Charlottesville parents is still appropriate (with minor alteration) in this instance:

“Wouldn’t you rather your child be a drug dealer than a drug addict?” – John Waters

Sex continues to be one of the things which can be given away legally, but charging for it is a crime.

A quick fingered reader has submitted a few photos of an arrest made moments ago on West Garrett Street.  These shots were taken from the Ridge Street bridge over the train tracks.  Apparently five to six police cars, an ambulance, and at least one smiling arrestee were on site around 3:05PM.

This was directly behind the Standard Produce building.  Google Maps.  Anyone with further information?

Aah, the Downtown Mall.  A place for family and friends during the day, and drunken brawls by night.

While walking up the mall this past Friday, a few Villains and I were confronted with a rather large crowd.  Of cops.  Twenty two of them in fact, along with eight cruisers, two firetrucks, two ambulances, and one individual on a stretcher.

Apparently a fight had broken out inside of a certain downtown club, and spilled out onto 3rd Street.  At least one individual was hospitalized due to head trauma.

While attempting to take photos of the incident, an unspecified officer heckled our photographer with the question “Haven’t you ever seen flashing blue lights before?”, to which we responded “Yes, but we report on the news.  Smile!”  Unfortunately he didn’t.

This marks the second time in two months I’ve come upon police presence on the mall in relation to a fight, all around the 2AM time frame.  So the question begs to be asked, do you feel safe on the mall after the bars close down?