RICHMOND, Va. -- Violent crime in one East End community is down 14 percent, but police say they can't pat themselves on the back.
There's an outbreak of another criminal category: Property crimes are up more than 200 percent.
In 62 years living in Creighton Court, Frances Jones says she's become known as the "First Lady" of the projects and she's seen her fair share of violence and crime tape, some of it right outside her front door.
"I'm the first tenant in Creighton Court," said Jones. "I’ve seen many a shooting, many a everything. I just hope things get better."
Now, Jones says, police are putting their best foot forward by walking through and talking with people living here about how to make their community safer and better.
"It makes you feel good that police are in here trying to make these young kids better," she said.
A shooting down the street from Jones’s home recently took the life of a 16-year-old boy. The killing was later determined a justifiable homicide, as police say that boy was breaking into homes and attempting to rob residents.
"A lot happening in daytime, in front of folks,” said Capt. Roger Russell. “People are going through windows carrying TV's out. We stress to people: If you see something unusual, report it."
At a nearby church, for example, there's actually a surveillance photo of a man that swiped a cash box and carried speakers out of the church. But as clear as the photo is, detectives say no one's talking.
"Let them know we are here to earn their trust,” said Russell about the police effort Tuesday night.
That trust came with a cool, refreshing twist for Jones, in the form of a cold Pepsi. She celebrates her 93rd birthday on Saturday, and an officer that walks her beat, brought her an early gift.
That simple soda made Jones a happy woman Tuesday night.
Creighton Tenant Council President Marilyn Olds says she's begged to see police walking through the streets and says she’s pleased with the results.
