RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond leaders are investing in new efforts to curb gun violence. City Council has approved a state grant that will support a program aimed at improving neighborhood safety. The city is set to receive $344,100 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Off icials said the money will fund Operation Ceasefire, a three-year initiative focused on reducing violence in communities disproportionately impacted by crime. “The biggest piece is how do we connect folks with the resources needed to keep them out of that life of crime?” said Greg Hopkins, director of Richmond’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention. City leaders said the program takes a two-pronged approach to violence reduction. The first focuses on improving physical environments in hot spot neighborhoods by collaborating with city departments to make visible enhancements. This would include upgrades to street lighting and recreational spaces. The second involves training residents to serve as mediators within their communities, to promote mentorship and conflict resolution. “The ultimate goal is so that we can have a safer Richmond, but we want to see a reduction in crime, especially in our fatal and non-fatal shootings,” Hopkins said. He added that community-based outreach is critical to addressing the root causes of violence. “What better way to set up some sort of a navigative peer-to-peer person or community organization that can work with people navigating through some of the hardest issues that they deal with,” Hopkins said. City leaders said the initiative aligns with Mayor Danny Avula’s broader plan to create safer neighborhoods, particularly as the city approaches the summer months, when violent crime often increases. “I think this is great timing here in this city of Richmond, especially as we start leading into the summer months to put some things in place,” Hopkins said. City Council also approved separate state funding to provide violence prevention services to newcomer, immigrant and refugee youth. ...read more read less