'BLUE WAVE' MAY HAVE RIPPLE EFFECT

Police Chief's Goal: Stop Drug Dealers

A new police initiative targeting street-corner drug dealers and other
criminals in Richmond neighborhoods is under way, Police Chief Andre Parker
said yesterday.

He is calling the initiative "Blue Wave," because wave after wave of
officers - some in patrol cars, others on bicycles and motorcycles - are
being deployed in the crackdown.

When drug dealers and gun-toting thugs move from one location to another,
"we will follow them," Parker said.

"I don't care where they go. I want their activity stopped in Richmond," he
said. "Just because we clear a corner doesn't mean we won't be back in an
hour or two."

Parker said he decided to begin "Blue Wave" after meeting with numerous
community groups since becoming police chief on Aug. 1.

"What I've heard is their concerns over drug dealing and other criminal
activity making their streets dangerous," he said. "We are going to
interdict that."

The strategy will also target loiterers at known drug hot spots.

Parker first disclosed his initiative Tuesday night in a Public Safety
Committee meeting with the City Council. He has referred to the 12 worst
open-air drug markets as "the Dirty Dozen," but has not yet disclosed their
locations.

Parker gave additional details on his "Blue Wave" initiative at a news
conference at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center, where he
was attending a conference.