From Rev. Turner:
Join us for our Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt in Pleasants Park on Easter Sunday, April 20, at 9:45 am. The Brunch will be inside Pine Street (Baptist Church), followed by the Egg Hunt in Pleasant Park. Register your children for the Egg Hunt using the link below. Feel free to stay for our 11:00 am worship afterward, but do not feel obligated if you come to the brunch and egg hunt.
Photo by Gene Gallin on Unsplash
Due to expected rainy weather and scheduling issues, Richmond’s first annual ‘Bola-Hoop’ has been postponed to later this month.
The event, which was originally scheduled for this Saturday in Monroe Park, would have featured bola throwing and hoop dancing
While most people around the world are familiar with hoops, many Americans are just now becoming re-acquainted with bolas.
Just earlier this month, the Richmond Police Department issued this press release:
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The Richmond Police Department has trained and equipped officers to use a new device that allows for brief control of non-compliant individuals.
The BolaWrap 150 Remote Restraint Device (pictured) is a handheld tool designed to be used as a method to control from a distance a non-compliant individual in instances when the officer would be justified in handcuffing the subject but doing so could escalate into a struggle which could cause harm to the subject or the officer.
The device deploys a Kevlar cord with weighted anchors designed to wrap around a subject’s body to temporarily limit their mobility and ability to cause harm to themselves or another. Officers will immediately apply handcuffs to the subject and remove the cord and anchors, when possible.
“This technology will allow for the safe control of a subject without a use of force,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “This reduces the likelihood that officers would need to escalate their response to higher levels of force to control a situation. It allows for safer outcomes for all.”
When practical, the officer will loudly announce “Bola, Bola, Bola” before deploying the device. The deployment produces a loud bang sound as the cord and anchors wrap around the subject – but is designed not to cause injury.
A video of Chief Edwards and Major Ronnie Armstead being wrapped by deployment of the device:
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It was unclear who was going to sponsor the event, although it seems likely that the City Parks & Rec Department and the Richmond Police Department would have been involved, and then perhaps VCU criminal justice program.
Word is that ‘Bola-Hoop’ may make an appearance at the Monument Avenue Easter Parade.
Although the ‘Bola-Hoop’ will not take place this Saturday, there is a mass protest march planned for Saturday at historic Monroe Park.
Tomorrow night at 5:30 pm at Pine Street Baptist Church, there is a ‘Design Open House’ for Holly Street Playground
Also…
Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program taught by fully-trained coaches. Join this season for soccer skills, character-building curriculum designed specifically for kids, and a whole lot of FUN!
March 6th (ages 3-5): Holly Street Playground – Free Fun Day
March 20th Season begins: Holly Street Playground – Spring 2025 Season
From Richmond Police:
January 19, 2025
Belle Isle Aggravated Assault Suspect Sought
Richmond Police detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who shot a City of Richmond Parks and Recreation Urban Park Ranger on Sunday on Belle Isle.
At approximately 1:42 p.m., Sunday, January 19, RPD responded to the Belle Isle area after receiving a report that an unidentified male suspect, had shot an adult male victim. The victim, an Urban Park Ranger with the City of Richmond, was providing information on available City of Richmond resources, when he was shot by the suspect. The victim was wearing a bullet proof vest which likely prevented him from sustaining serious injury.
The suspect was last seen fleeing on foot. The suspect is described as a black male in his late 30’s, approximately 5’11 tall, with a short patchy beard, short unkept hair, wearing a black jacket, black pants, and gray or black boots.
This is an active investigation.
Anyone with information about this suspect or this incident is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective S. Brown at (804) 646-6456 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.
A pair of snow persons in Pleasants Park yesterday evening
Cherry Street RMA 195 overpass
Slick, icy sidewalks are a hazard on the 100 block of S.Cherry this morning, but I think the scooter was in the tree before any snow fell.
More snow possible this coming weekend.
Some guys taking advantage of a rainy evening to play some football in Holly Street Playground. It was good to see the park being used like this. Word is, back in the last century, Holly Street Playground was the site of some very competitive volleyball matches that often included a lot of war veterans.
