The Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement

The Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement (ONSE) within the RVA Department of Justice Services (DJS) serves the Richmond community with the mission of reducing rates of various forms of violence that impact our residents. The Office addresses this challenge from multiple evidence-based approaches with an emphasis on reducing gun-violence as one of the most pressing issues affecting citizens. The Office implements gun-violence reduction strategies using the Cure Violence model which is a public health approach that seeks to change individual and community attitudes around gun-violence through focused attention on community wellness and the various risk factors which lead to violence at the source. Priorities are continuously assessed through collaboration with the Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention (GVPI) Steering Committee, community outreach, and with direction from the City’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Framework.

ONSE staff work to address underlying challenges which contribute to gun violence by collaborating with public and grassroots partners on improving conditions through the lens of various root factors including workforce development, positive youth development, public health and safety, literacy and education, and general community wellness. Examples of action items that the Office has facilitated since it’s official launch in May 2024 include improved communication between City partners on addressing violence risk factors, providing free transparent backpacks to students attending Richmond Public Schools, general planning and logistical support for initiatives such as the City’s Summer Late-Night Basketball events, funding support for workforce training opportunities for residents, and the ongoing development of a gun-violence focused strategic plan for guiding and measuring progress of violence-reduction activities across the City of Richmond. The Office also serves as the nexus for gun-violence related communications and actively promotes the programs and initiatives of GVPI partners through continuous outreach and coordination.

To reach the Office with recommendations for new violence-reduction initiatives and programming, questions regarding helpful resources and/or services available to residents, or any other queries related to violence prevention and intervention in the City of Richmond, please contact us through our official GVPI hotline at (804) 646-5987.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
8:00am to 5:00pm EST

Office Staff

Alex Krupp
Neighborhood Safety & Engagement Manager
City of Richmond, Department of Justice Services
730 East Broad St. Richmond, VA 23219
Email: alexander.krupp@rva.gov
Office Phone: (804) 646-0586
Cell Phone: (804) 240-0896

Lamont K. Barnes
Neighborhood Safety & Engagement Coordinator
City of Richmond, Department of Justice Services
730 East Broad St. Richmond, VA 23219
Email: Lamont.barnes2@rva.gov
Office Phone: (804) 646-5701
Cell Phone: (804) 584-0050