Charlottesville police considering use of license plate recognition system

The Charlottesville Police Department has set up an email address to take questions from community members who want to know more about a new tool that the department is considering using.   “With the association between our stolen vehicles, shots fired calls, and homicides, we have identified the FLOCK License Plate Recognition (LPR) system as a…

Read More

Sanders names new Deputy City Manager; Thomas to be permanent fire chief

The empty seat for Deputy City Manager for Operations in Charlottesville did not stay vacant long. City Manager Sam Sanders has appointed Steven Hicks as the replacement for the position he held for two years before getting the top position.  Sanders has also named interim chief Michael Thomas as the permanent head of the Charlottesville…

Read More

Council authorizes gun buyback program

An initiative to help combat gun violence will move forward. Charlottesville City Council has approved an ordinance that will allow the Police Department to create a buyback program for firearms.  Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis told Council that the city will partner with another entity to conduct the transactions.  “We would be reaching to a…

Read More

Search continues for a new fire chief for Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a city that has had much turnover and many high profile vacancies. That includes the position of fire chief. Michael Thomas has been serving on an interim basis since Hezedean Smith left to take a position in Florida.  There were 30 applications to become the new chief.  “The in-house review committee, which included representatives of…

Read More

Albemarle Supervisors endorse Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Last week, Albemarle County became the latest locality in the area to adopt a plan to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies. The Thomas Jefferson Planning Districts maintains and updates the Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, a document required by the federal government in order to qualify for certain grants and other funding sources….

Read More

Charlottesville moving forward to hire city attorney

Prospective Communications Director turns down job Charlottesville has been without an in-house City Attorney since Lisa Robertson abruptly resigned at the end of 2022. The city has contracted with two separate law firms to provide legal advice, but that could come to an end soon according to Interim City Manager Michael C. Rogers.  “We will conclude the…

Read More