NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News Mayor Philip Jones and Police Chief Steve Drew held a press conference Wednesday morning about gun violence in the city so far this year, as well as new city initiatives aimed at continuing to reduce homicides and shootings across the city.
The press conference was held at the Newport News Police Department headquarters on Jefferson Avenue.
Chief Drew spoke first, taking a moment to address family members of gun violence victims who were in attendance.
"I know there are people in this room who have lost loved ones to gun violence," he said. "You matter to me, you matter to the city. I appreciate your support and your trust in us."
Chief Drew reminded the room that "as we talk about numbers and statistics, please remember that every one of those numbers represent people in our city."
This includes Radia Capehart, who was personally invited by Chief Drew, after someone shot and killed her son in 2022. Shayne Capehart was only 15 years old, when he was shot coming home from a convenience store.
"I don't want any other mother to go through, what I had to go through," said Radia. "Every day I come home and see my son's urn, so I'm happy at least that they are doing something like this.
Chief Drew announced the city had seen a 55% decrease in the number of homicides between January 1 and July 21 this year in comparison to the same time-period last year. That's a reduction from 20 homicides in the first half of 2023 to 9 homicides for the first half of this year.
For overall non-fatal shootings, there were 52 during the first half of 2023 and 36 so far this year, said Drew.
When it comes to "clearing" or solving homicides, Chief Drew said the national average is about 52%. Since January of this year, he said the Newport News Police Department has cleared homicides at a rate of 88.9%.
Mayor Jones and the city manager then spoke about city initiatives being used to reduce gun violence across the city.
"We understand the perception, but I am optimistic on the future of Newport News," said Mayor Jones. "We are investing in our youth, we are investing in our police, and in our future in this great city."
Jones recently announced a new city branch called the Office of Community Safety that will be dedicated to curbing gun violence. Jones said the search is still underway to find a violence prevention manager.
Gun activists like Troy Ketchmore, with Ketchmore Kids, said it's important to keep the momentum moving forward.
"Don't let the numbers fool you, don't drink the kool-aid, don't pump your chest like we did something," said Ketchmore. "This is a continual process, it's never going away, we can only continue the fight."