Today, after a thorough scrubbing with both responsible AI- and human-powered tools, the City posted the (now properly redacted) 2015–2019 payment register datasets to the Open Data Portal. You can access them here . The release of these data will be followed by the release of the equivalent dataset for FY25 in the coming months. 

These datasets were originally removed from the Open Data Portal several years ago due to the potential of unintentionally releasing sensitive and legally protected information (like residents’ Social Security Numbers). While, at the time, payment registry data went through a review process that relied on a combination of automated and manual redaction, there was still a risk that sensitive information could find its way into the Open Data Portal. To mitigate the risk, the datasets were removed and remained unpublished for several years. 

Then, this week, in an effort to restore resident, reporter, and City Council access to these datasets, the City of Richmond republished payment register data from 2015–2019. Soon after, the Department of Information Technology scanned the datasets for Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information using AI-powered tools. After finding about 60 Social Security Numbers, DIT, again, unpublished the dataset. Over the course of this week, staff from the Department of Information Technology and the Department of Finance have thoroughly scrubbed the 2015-2019 datasets and have now made them (safely) available to the public. 

Moving forward, Mayor Danny Avula has introduced ORD. 2026-081, which would update the legislation that requires publishing the payment registry data, while still “protecting confidential and personal information as required by law.” This ordinance promotes transparency and government accountability but also minimizes the risk of releasing protected data.  

“The City pulled these datasets down during the last administration due to legitimate, and now-proven, security concerns. Today, we’re safely reposting the data, and we’re incredibly excited to have introduced new legislation that will prioritize transparency AND protect privacy.” said CAO Odie Donald II. 

City Council will consider ORD. 2026-081 at their May 20 meeting.

A routine review of the Richmond Police Department’s 2026 use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology identified a policy violation involving an authorized RPD user.

The Richmond Police Department conducts monthly audits of Flock ALPR use by personnel. An audit in the first quarter of the year found a single violation involving an RPD sergeant while assisting a homicide investigation. The inquiry was not related to immigration enforcement.

The violation occurred when an RPD sergeant was asked by a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for an image of a vehicle believed to be in Richmond and connected to a homicide investigation in Washington, D.C.

“The audit process is an important safeguard to ensure this technology is used properly,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “ALPR technology has proven valuable in violent crime investigations, but these checks are necessary to maintain the proper balance between individual privacy, public safety, and compliance with Virginia law.”

The searching for and dissemination of this information to a federal law enforcement official outside of Virginia violated department policy, which prohibits sharing ALPR data with agencies outside the Commonwealth. The violation was reported to the Virginia State Police as required by state law.

“While I appreciate the sergeant’s willingness to assist in a homicide investigation, sharing ALPR data - even of a single vehicle - with federal partners or agencies outside the Commonwealth of Virginia is prohibited,” Chief Edwards added.

Following an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney was consulted; based on the facts of the case, prosecution was declined. Afterwards, an internal investigation was conducted by RPD’s Office of Professional Standards. The sergeant’s authorization to access ALPR data has been deactivated.

Should there be any compliance issues in the future, RPD will disseminate that information at our regularly scheduled quarterly crime briefings to ensure transparency with our community.

Please note that the Richmond City Office of Elections will not be open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: 2134 W. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia

If you need assistance during this time, please contact us at [email protected]

Posted April 29, 2026

~ Enhancing signal visibility and safe access for people crossing the street ~

  RICHMOND, VA. – The Richmond Department of Transportation will begin upgrades to the traffic signal equipment at the intersection of Cary Street Road and Malvern Avenue in early May as part of a citywide initiative to replace aging infrastructure that has reached the end of its service life. This project will modernize a key intersection along a heavily traveled corridor serving residents, nearby schools, and businesses, regardless of age, ability, or travel mode. 

 The upgraded signal installation is designed to enhance pedestrian safety and reliability for all people. It includes the installation of:

• ADA-compliant curb ramps
• High-Visibility crosswalks, and
• Countdown pedestrian signal heads
• Modern traffic signal controller

 New high-visibility traffic signals with reflective backplates (HVSB) will improve signal recognition for drivers by creating contrast and enhancing visibility at night and in low-light conditions. 

 “This project reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to maintain its safety assets,” said Richmond Transportation Director, Andy Boenau. “By replacing old equipment, we’re taking care of existing infrastructure needs for a sustainable and reliable transportation network today.”

 Construction will start in early May, weather permitting, and is expected to be completed by Fall 2026. 

 During construction, there will be intermittent lane and sidewalk closures. Please give our construction workers extra space. Please slow down in work zones and whenever you see orange cones.

 This $860,000 project is funded through Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA), which supports transportation improvements across the region.

 Vision Zero emphasizes safe systems approach to prevent severe crashes. By combining safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe roads, and safe people, and the best post-crash care, the City continues to build a healthier transportation network that prioritizes safe access using engineering, education, and enforcement.

 For more information about Vision Zero, visit rva.gov/visionzero or email us at [email protected].

The City of Richmond’s Office of Equity & Inclusion is inviting residents to participate in the 2026 LGBTQ+ Community Survey, a citywide effort designed to better understand the experiences, needs, and priorities of LGBTQ+ residents and ensure Richmond continues building a community where everyone can thrive.

The anonymous survey supports the Mayor’s Action Plan pillar of Thriving and Inclusive Communities and will help guide decisions about services, partnerships, staff training, and future policy priorities.

“This survey is about listening,” said Aneesah Smith, Equity and Inclusion Advisor for City of Richmond. “Even when communities are resilient and vibrant, there are still barriers that can prevent our LGTBQ+ residents from feeling fully safe, seen, and supported. This is an opportunity for residents to shape how the City moves forward. This effort reflects our commitment to ensuring Richmond belongs to all of us,” Smith added. “We want our data to reflect the real diversity of every corner of our city.”

Smith started in her role last summer and brings more than a decade of experience advancing equity-centered systems change and has long been deeply embedded in regional LGBTQ+ and racial equity work. She was recently appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to the Commonwealth’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, serves on the OutRVA Advisory Committee, and was selected as one of only two City employees to participate in the Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Black and Latino Changemakers Fellowship—recognitions that reflect her leadership across Virginia and her commitment to ensuring LGBTQIA+ initiatives are grounded in systems-level equity.

The survey is designed to help the City:

• Focus resources where they are most needed
• Establish a baseline for measuring progress over time
• Strengthen partnerships with community organizations
• Improve services and training across City departments

City leaders emphasize that participation will directly inform how Richmond continues to invest in inclusive programs and responsive government services:

“At the City of Richmond, we are leaning into ensuring our work is guided by residents’ lived experiences,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, Amy Popovich. “The 2026 LGBTQ+ Community Survey is a key part of that effort, helping us hear directly from LGBTQ+ residents about their needs and priorities. Our teams are in the community every day, and I have the honor of working alongside leaders like Aneesah Smith who are deeply committed to this work. We are intentionally including residents in every step of our design process to build a stronger, more responsive partnership that serves our LGBTQ+ community with care and accountability.”

Community partners believe the release of the LGBTQ+ community survey signals progress:

“The launch of this survey, alongside the appointment of long-standing LGBTQ+ advocate Aneesah Smith as the City’s Equity and Inclusion Advisor, marks a meaningful step forward for Richmond as it continues to become a more LGBTQ+-inclusive city,” said James Milner, Virginia Pride Director, who also serves as Program Director at the nonprofit Diversity Richmond.

“These efforts reflect both the progress that has been made and a clear recognition that more work remains. By pairing dedicated leadership with community-driven data, the City is building a stronger foundation to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ residents and respond with intention, authenticity, and impact.”

Responses are anonymous, quick to complete, and will go directly to the teams working on policy and program improvements across City government. Community feedback will help guide future action and ensure that the City’s work reflects residents lived experiences across Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community.

Residents who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and live in Richmond are encouraged to participate.

Take the survey: https://go.rva.gov/corlgbtqsurvey26        

For questions about the survey, contact: [email protected]