NORFOLK, Va. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Norfolk Field Office had a special visit Wednesday from FBI Director Christopher Wray.
During his stop, he met with Hampton Roads law enforcement partners to talk about the rising epidemic of violent crime impacting our area, and the role several joint task forces have in putting the people responsible behind bars.
“In 2022, working together with our partners, we arrested more than 20,000 violent criminals and child predators nationwide,” said Wray. “That is an average of 55 per day, every day.”
The Tidewater Violent Crimes Taskforce and Safe Streets Peninsula Taskforce added to those arrests.
Director Wray has led the Bureau since 2017. He said the Norfolk field office put away 42 criminals last summer and more on the Peninsula.
“Separately, a multi-year investigation by the Safe Streets Peninsula Taskforce resulted in 54 arrests across the Peninsula of violent gang members distributing large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and firearms,” Director Wray said.
He said the teams are cracking down on guns too.
“In total, the FBI and our partners here in the region were able to take more than 164 illegal guns off the streets last year,” Wray said.
Human trafficking cases in Hampton Roads are also on the FBI’s radar. During Operation Cross Country last summer, the FBI arrested 200 people nationwide, catching three offenders in the 757.
Director Wray said their law enforcement partners are the eyes and ears in our communities.
“We want to make sure we are all one team, one fight against the many threats we have to protect the public from,” Wray said.
Another reason for Wray’s visit was to recognize FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
He said the group steps up to support the FBI. Most recently, he said the group provided support, food and sanitizing supplies to FBI agents working the scene of the Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting in November.
