In an effort to combat youth gun violence during a period when it has historically jumped, the Richmond Police Department has launched its Spring Forward initiative, which will take place during this spring break from March 27 to April 4. 

The effort is a collaboration between multiple city and state agencies and community-based organizations that will host events primarily for young people throughout the week. Those events, which are free, include a writing workshop, one-day and mini-camps, and drop-in activities at open gyms and community centers.

“Our aim is to create safe and structured programs, while connecting youth to ongoing positive opportunities through free programming,” said city spokesperson Tamara Jenkins for the Office of Gun Violence, one of the collaborators on the initiative. 

Jenkins said that some activities, like the city’s Parks and Recreation spring break camps, have a certain number of slots available. But other activities held by Greater Richmond Fit for Kids at T.B. Smith Community Center or the Maymont Foundation programs at the Maymont Robins Nature Center, are open to an unlimited number of young people.

Some programs will also be held at community centers in public housing developments like Mosby and Fairfield courts. Others will also cater to adults, like “Bingo Beats and Safe Streets” where seniors can play Bingo and be connected to community resources.

Youth gun violence tends to spike when Richmond students are out of school, particularly during spring break. From 2021 to 2025, 11 juveniles aged zero to 17 were shot, and five of them were killed during spring break. Another 16 young adults aged 18 to 24 were shot during the same period, with six killed.

Last weekend, 15-year-old Darkell Jones was shot and killed while riding his scooter in the city’s Southside. Around this time last year, 15-year old Dora Hill was also killed in a shooting in Jackson Ward, and a 17-year old boy was later charged with her death. 

As part of the program, the Richmond Police Department and Virginia State Police will also conduct traffic enforcement and what they describe as “focused investigations” at various locations around the city. 

Jenkins said that the city aims to host the program again next year “as a seasonal intervention strategy.”

“Spring Forward can become the counterpart to the City’s summer violence prevention and engage efforts that create visible, positive activity for our youth,” she said. 

You can find the full schedule of the events below:

Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org