Joint police operation targets late-night takeovers near Rocketts Landing

A joint law enforcement operation between Richmond and Henrico police is drawing praise from some neighbors and concern from others following ongoing complaints in the Rocketts Landing and Jefferson Park areas.

Richmond Police Officer Ray Perez said calls from residents reached a tipping point before the operation launched.

"We actually received a barrage of complaints all within the same time period, maybe within a few days, and the complaints were that people were taking over the sugar pad over here near Rockets Landing and Jefferson Park," Perez said.

Officers say the complaints are tied to what they call a "takeover."

"People from all over the state were coming out here, and they were doing everything from dumping trash all over the place, consuming alcoholic beverages, using drugs," Perez said. "And this was going on from 10 p.m. to about 4 o'clock in the morning, Friday, Saturday and Sunday."

Richmond Police partnered with Henrico Police for a targeted three-day enforcement operation called "Operation Restore Order." The operation resulted in 73 misdemeanor arrests for trespassing and two felony warrants served.

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