Posted July 25, 2025

DMV and City of Richmond Debut 54-Foot Ladder at The Diamond to Demonstrate Powerful Effects of Speed in Crashes 

RICHMOND, Va. (July 25, 2025) – Did you know that pushing someone from the top of a 54-foot ladder has the same impact as someone being hit by a car traveling 40 mph? This powerful comparison is now at the center of a new public awareness display from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the City of Richmond — created to highlight the life-threatening consequences of speeding.

Today, during a press conference at The Diamond, a Richmond landmark, officials from the Commonwealth and the City unveiled a bright yellow, 54-foot ladder that now towers beside the stadium as the centerpiece of the campaign. A dramatic video features a professional climber scaling the ladder, offering a jolting perspective: the higher the fall, the harder the hit. At just 40 mph, a pedestrian struck by a car experiences the same force as falling from that towering height which is roughly five stories.

“Speeding was a factor in more than 400 traffic deaths in Virginia last year,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III. “Every driver has a responsibility to understand the real impact of their decisions behind the wheel. This campaign puts the stark reality of those consequences front and center, urging everyone to slow down, follow the speed limit, and save lives.”

As the ladder gets higher, markers show increasing speeds in miles per hour. Each one of the markers shows the relationship between falling from that height and being hit by a car moving 10, 20 or 30 miles per hour.

“This campaign makes the invisible visible,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “We’re taking the science of impact and turning it into something drivers can feel in their gut — because that’s how we change behavior.”

Last year alone, 410 people lost their lives in speed-related crashes across Virginia — including 10 in the City of Richmond. In response, Richmond has taken bold, proactive steps to make its streets safer by becoming a Vision Zero city, committed to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Highlights of the city’s efforts include expanding speed enforcement, launching a safety camera program with 13 school zone cameras, constructing 200 speed tables citywide in the past year, and implementing a range of traffic calming measures to slow drivers down and protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

“In Richmond, we’re committed to making our streets safer for everyone — whether you’re behind the wheel, on a bike or on foot,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “This ladder makes the danger of speeding impossible to ignore. If this display gets even one person to slow down and save a life, it’s worth every foot, because a thriving city starts with safe streets.”

This ladder was created through a local Richmond collaboration — conceptualized by Two Tango Collaborative, designed by Barker Designs, and built by BrandSafway Scaffolding Systems, with video production provided by Advanced Visual Production.

This week's event is part of a coordinated effort across jurisdictions in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Region 3 — including Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, the District of Columbia and Kentucky — to raise awareness about the deadly consequences of speeding.

Want to see the ladder up close? Stop by The Diamond and catch a Richmond Flying Squirrels game as they take on the Portland Sea Dogs:

• Friday, July 25 at 6:35 p.m.
• Saturday, July 26 at 6:05 p.m.
• Sunday, July 27 at 5:05 p.m.

The message is simple: Speed Has an Impact.

To view the climb on the ladder, click here.

To view video of today's event, click here. It includes a soundbite from Virginia DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey.

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Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is pleased to announce the appointment of Tanikia Jackson as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Finance and Administration. Ms. Jackson brings more than twenty years' experience in government finance, operations, and strategic planning in municipal public sectors in the Southeast.

Ms. Jackson most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the City of Atlanta, where she provided oversight and leadership across budget, procurement, and infrastructure operations. Prior to her role in Atlanta, she served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the City of Chatanooga, TN. Her experience includes key leadership posts in two of Georgia's largest counties: DeKalb County, where she served as Deputy Director of Budget, and Augusta-Richmond County, where she held the position of Deputy Administrator.  

In her new role, Ms. Jackson will provide strategic oversight on internal and external administrative operations. Her portfolio will include Budget and Strategic Planning, Citizen Service and Response, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, General Services, and Procurement.

"Ms. Jackson has a proven track record of best-in-class municipal finance and administrative leadership," said Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer. "She brings a wealth of experience from some of the Southeast's most dynamic cities and county and leads with heart and purpose exemplified by her military service. That deep commitment to public service and fiscal integrity makes her a tremendous asset to our team. I'm excited to see her hit the ground running."

"I am honored to join the City of Richmond and contribute to a community that's full of momentum and meaningful work," said Jackson. "I look forward to working alongside the City's leadership to strengthen our finance and administration functions, the backbone that supports the programs and services making a real difference in people's lives."

"I'm thrilled to welcome with Ms. Jackson to Richmond. Her leadership will be key to strengthening the foundation of a thriving Richmond," said Mayor Danny Avula. "She brings the experience, vision, and desire to take on this role and keep us moving forward."

During Ms. Jackson's tenure in Atlanta, the City of Atlanta achieved its highest-ever credit rating, a strong Triple-A bond rating from Fitch. In her current role, Ms. Jackson has led several high-impact initiatives, including managing a $34 million executive office budget, overseeing the City's first nightlife study and supporting the launch of the new Nightlife Office. She guided the development of Atlanta's first film lookbook and played a key role in crafting the Mayor's Executive Office strategic plan. Her leadership also extends to Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded projects focused on youth violence prevention and sustainability.

Ms. Jackson began her public service in the U.S. Air Force, serving six years on active duty with global deployments and a special assignment in Washington, D.C. She holds a Master's in Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University. Ms. Jackson's first day with the City of Richmond will be Monday, August 11th.

Ms. Tanikia Jackson, Richmond's new DCAO for Finance and Administration

Posted July 24, 2025

~ Citywide data highlights where speed management is working and still needed ~

RICHMOND, Va. – The City of Richmond has released comprehensive citywide speed data, now available to the public through its Vision Zero webpage. Mayor Danny Avula highlighted the significance of this release:

“As promised at the Speed Management Symposium in May, we’re making citywide speed data public for the first time. This is about delivering on our commitment to transparency and giving residents clear, accessible information about driver behavior on Richmond’s streets. It’s a critical step toward building trust and making our streets safer for everyone.”

Collected through a combination of cell phones and vehicle GPS systems, the speed data informs engineering, enforcement, and education efforts. The interactive, online dashboard shows the most recent two months of speed data.

“Managing traffic speeds helps ensure our first responders can reach emergencies more safely, said Richmond Fire Marshall William Spindle. “As a member of the Vision Zero Task Force, I’m encouraged that this speed data is now publicly available. It demonstrates the impact of traffic calming measures and highlights areas along the High Injury Network where we still need improvements.”

The city invites residents, advocates, and researchers to explore the speed data resources found on the Vision Zero webpage: rva.gov/visionzero.

For more information on the Department of Public Works, go to rva.gov/public-works or email askpublicworks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Posted July 23, 2025

Media Advisory

What: The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the City of Richmond will hold a press conference to unveil a striking new public safety display: a 54-foot bright yellow ladder at The Diamond. The ladder—paired with a dramatic video of a professional climber scaling it—visually demonstrates the devastating impact of speed in crashes. A pedestrian hit by a car traveling 40 mph experiences the same force as a fall from the top of the ladder. 

This bold display serves as the centerpiece of a statewide effort to raise awareness about speed-related fatalities, which claimed 410 lives in Virginia last year — including 10 in the City of Richmond. The event is part of a coordinated speed awareness initiative across jurisdictions in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Region 3. 

When: Friday, July 25 at 10 a.m.

Where: The Diamond
3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230

Parking: Media is allowed to park on the red lot which is located at the entrance off Arthur Ashe Boulevard adjacent to Arthur Ashe Center.

Who:

• W. Sheppard Miller III, Virginia Secretary of Transportation
• Gerald Lackey, Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles 
• Brandy Brubaker, Director of Highway Safety Strategy for the Department of Motor Vehicles
• Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police
• Lawson Wijesooriya, Chief of Staff for City of Richmond Mayor Danny Avula
• Andrew Beton, City of Richmond Councilmember and member of the City’s Safe and Healthy Streets Commission

Visuals:

• 54-foot tall ladder display with injury impact markers
• On-site interviews available

Background: Richmond, a Vision Zero city, has implemented multiple traffic safety measures including increased speed enforcement, school zone safety cameras, and the construction of 200 speed tables citywide over the past year. This campaign supports the city’s mission to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.

This ladder was created through a local Richmond collaboration—conceptualized by Two Tango Collaborative, designed by Barker Designs, and is being built by BrandSafway Scaffolding Systems, with video production provided by Advanced Visual Production.

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Veteran finance leader brings decades of experience and track record of AAA bond ratings, clean audits; first day set for August 6th

July 23, 2025

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is proud to announce the appointment of Letitia Shelton as the new Director of Finance. Shelton brings more than 30 years of experience in public sector finance, most recently serving as Director of Finance for the City of Virginia Beach, which holds a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies. In her role with Virginia Beach, Ms. Shelton oversaw core functions such as accounting, purchasing, risk management, debt management, payroll, and financial system services. An experienced leader, Ms. Shelton is known for her commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal management.

"Ms. Shelton is a powerhouse in municipal finance and operations, and we are incredibly blessed to have her return to Richmond for this critical leadership role," said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. "She brings a much-needed combination of technical expertise, executive leadership, and deep roots in Richmond. Most importantly, she shares my people-first, people-always mindset and brings thoughtful, collaborative leadership that will truly benefit the entire organization."

Born and raised in the City of Richmond, Shelton began her career with the City where she served for 19 years in several key roles including Interim Director of Public Works and Deputy Director of Finance and Administration. During her tenure she oversaw financial operations, implemented automation initiatives, managed the annual operating and Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) budgets, and collaborated with external consultants.

"Richmond is home, and where I started my career. It's where I learned the power of public service," said Shelton. I'm thrilled to return and contribute to a city I care so deeply about that gave me so much. Together with a strong team, I look forward to building systems that support efficiency, accountability, and long-term sustainability. Residents deserve nothing less."

Shelton has also held senior positions in Charlottesville, Virginia, and DeSoto, Texas, including Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer. In these roles she delivered audit opinions, maintained Triple-A bond ratings, and enhanced financial operations.

"Ms. Shelton brings exactly the right experience and leadership to this role," said Mayor Danny Avula. "She knows Richmond, understands the work, and has the commitment we need to build a thriving City Hall. I'm thrilled to welcome her to the team."

During Ms. Shelton's tenure, the City of Virginia Beach maintained its Triple-A rating from all three major credit rating agencies, a reflection of the city's strong financial performance. In 2024, WalletHub ranked the City of Virginia Beach as the ninth among the Best-Run Cities in America and 2nd in Quality of City Services.

Ms. Shelton's first day with the City of Richmond will be Wednesday, August 6th.

Ms. Letitia Shelton, the City of Richmond's new Director of Finance