Volume 5, Number 1 |January 2022
DEC spreads holiday cheer at parade, through donations
Thanks to all DEC staff who passed out pencils and shared holiday greetings and 911 safety messages with spectators during the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade on Dec. 4. Also thanks to those who donated gifts, cash and grocery store gift cards for a Christmas basket. With the help of the Richmond Department of Social Services, the basket was presented to a Richmond family of a single mother and three teenagers living in a motel room on Dec. 17.

Marcus Alert begins in Richmond
At noon on Dec. 1, DEC began transferring some 911 calls for mental or behavioral crises to the Regional Crisis Call Line, managed through a contractor of the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). Before that, RPD officers would have been dispatched. It was the beginning of many changes brought about by the Marcus Alert.

Four graduate from 38th Basic Dispatch Academy
Congratulations to Michele Herzing, Dimitri Brown, Hollister Watkins-Boyd and (not pictured) Denisia Person, who graduated from the 38th BDA in an in-person ceremony on Dec. 3 at the Richmond Police Academy.

December in review
50/50 Raffle winner
Congratulations to LaMonte Thomas, who won $64.50 on Dec. 18 in the 50/50 Raffle. The other $64.50 raised in the raffle will be used to support National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week activities in April. Thanks to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket! Watch for the next opportunity to win coming soon!

Games & Puzzles

Each monthly newsletter will feature a different game or puzzle. Email your answer to the bonus question in this month's puzzle by Jan. 17 to be entered into the random drawing for a prize. Make sure your email has the subject line "January puzzle answer." Good luck!


Richmond DEC | 804-646-5911 | www.richmondgov.com/EmergencyCommunications