World leaders highlight progress in fighting violent crime

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares visited Roanoke Thursday to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Armistice Virginia and Operation Bold Blue Line.

They said both operations had a significant impact on violent crime in more than a dozen cities and across the state.

“And I want to thank everyone for coming together because that’s what we did,” Youngkin said Thursday morning.

The programs described by Youngkin and Miyares have resulted in stronger partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, tougher penalties for gun crimes and more community engagement.

During a broadcast attended by Republicans and Democrats, they said that the Virginia Armistice and Operation Bold Blue Line made a difference.

Across Virginia, murders are down 30 percent and overall violent crime is down more than 10 percent, Miyares said.

“You can see that,” Miyares said. “Intervention, prevention, and yes, prosecution, capture the small subset of offenders who are repeat violent offenders and can have a dramatic impact on a community. And that is indeed a first step in washing away the fear.”

In 13 Truce Cities the statistics are even better.

Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth described what happened in Star City.

“Thanks to partnerships like this, the Roanoke community saw a 65 percent decrease in gun-related homicides and a 53 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings in 2024,” Booth said to applause.

Youngkin and Miyares also said the work will continue. They told state lawmakers in the audience that they expect legislation that will expand these programs to more communities across the commonwealth.

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