HCTV Programs

More than 13 million kids will be bullied in the U.S. this year. HCTV explores why bullying occurs and what our community can do to combat this disturbing social issue. Henrico County's commonwealth's attorney, school resource officers, guidance counselors, principals and young people speak about their experiences and why bullying is on the rise in our country.

Last year, Henrico County Police responded to more than 5,000 domestic violence calls. Domestic violence knows no economic, racial, educational or jurisdictional boundaries Ñ it occurs in every neighborhood throughout our county and nation. Join HCTV as we talk to domestic violence survivors and advocates to learn what help is available inÊDomestic Violence: It's Closer Than You Think.

Henrico Police's Traffic Safety Unit is completely focused on ensuring safety on the county's roadways. Whether they're investigating a crash, arresting a drunk driver, educating students or simply informing citizens of a new law, the 15 members of this unit are serious about traffic safety. Join HCTV as we look inside theÊDriving Force: Henrico's Traffic Safety Unit.

Henrico County is not immune to severe weather. Tornadoes, flooding, ice storms and even earthquakes are possible, some striking without warning. When the moment arrives, will you be prepared? Having a plan is a good place to start, but there are other steps you can take to ensure the safety of you and your family.

Hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, thunderstorms, ice storms, and even earthquakes are year-round threats in Henrico County. Being prepared for emergencies can be as easy as having a plan, staying informed, and knowing what to do when disasters occur. Join HCTV as we learn from the experts how to survive severe weather emergencies.

Those charged with the task of maintaining public safety go to great lengths Ñ and great heights Ñ to accomplish their goal. This is certainly true of one elite police unit headquartered at Richmond International Airport. The Metro Aviation Unit is a partnership between the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield and the City of Richmond. Pilots from each jurisdiction assist in a wide array of public safety functions over a landmass of more than 750 square miles with a population of nearly one million people. Fly along with HCTV as police pilots give us a spectacular view of what they do to keep us safe.

Heroin has become a rampant killer across the United States. In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said use of the powerful narcotic had reached an epidemic level. Henrico officials have assembled a task force to work with the community and treatment providers to develop a strong, comprehensive approach to confront the challenges of heroin. Join HCTV as we look inside this public health emergency and find where help is available.

From finding the source of a fire and enforcing fire laws, to educating school children and inspecting businesses for fire safety, the Office of the Fire Marshal covers a diverse and extensive area of responsibility to ensure the safety of Henrico residents. HCTV follows the Fire Marshals in the field as they investigate for possible arson, train to use firearms, simulate a fire escape for kids, put an accelerant-detecting canine to work and more inÊFrom Investigation to Education: Inside the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Gangs are no longer a metropolitan or inner-city problem as they gain new territory in suburban communities Ñ they cross racial, ethnic, socio-economic and geographical boundaries. Henrico's Gang Investigative Team is committed to preventing, intervening and suppressing gang activity in our county. Join HCTV as we learn how Henrico County Police are actively identifying gang activity inÊGaining New Territory: Gang Awareness in Henrico.

It takes a special person to become a firefighter for Henrico County Ñ a person with a heart for service. HenricoÕs Division of Fire is an internationally accredited, full-service agency and the bar is set high for new recruits. No exceptions, no excuses, all potential firefighters must pass both physical and written tests to make it to the top tier of eligible academy recruits. Join HCTV as we learn about this multi-layered, months-long process in A Heart for Service: The Path to a Career as a Firefighter.

On June 8, 2010 Robert Cox Jr. was violently murdered while sitting in his car listening to music. Henrico Police's Homicide Unit is still searching for leads and raking through evidence, but they need your help. Any additional tip, no matter how small, may be just what these detectives need to solve this senseless murder. Join HCTV as we delve into this homicide case, talk to friends of the deceased, and meet the Henrico detectives who will not stop searching until the killer is brought to justice.

Technology enhances our lives with countless conveniences. But it also provides endless opportunities for thieves to exploit our use of everything from social media to gift cards, credit cards, e-commerce and email. Join HCTV as we uncover some of the most popular scams, hacks, and schemes and learn how you can keep from being a target.

Henrico's Hazardous Incident Team is ready to respond to any chemical, fuel or biological release that threatens the health and safety of Central Virginia residents. The highly-skilled firefighters at Henrico's Station 21 rely on their training and experience to respond to any HAZMAT situation. Join HCTV as we learn more about this specialized unit and its unprecedented reputation throughout our region.

Juvenile Detention in Henrico County: Rebuilding Lives to Benefit Our Community (Running Time: 16 minutes) – The Henrico County Juvenile Detention Home and the James River Juvenile Detention Center offer much more than a secure place for youth awaiting court action or serving short sentences. With the help of their caring staffs and innovative programming, the facilities help youths continue their education, work through any emotional or other challenges and prepare them upon release to become contributing members of the community.

Henrico's firefighters specialize in bringing chaos under control in emergencysituations Ñ that's what they're trained to do. Be it fire, emergency medical service, hazardous materials spills or retrieving the cat from the tree, Henrico firefighters respond in the fast, efficient and cool-headed manner that we have come to expect. But becoming a firefighter is not for the faint of heart, or mind. Henrico's Fire Training Section chooses only a select few applicants who must then endure a grueling 23 weeks of intense training. HCTV embedded with Recruit Academy 61 for the entire process capturing all of the intensity, drama, and danger Ñ taking you where few have been.

Henrico County Currently has more than 80 unsolved crimes, and the cold case unit needs your help. New forensic technology has led to a break in the 1991 murder of 16 year old Marshall Ray Butler. Investigators are now on the trail of a new suspect, and all they may need is one phone call to bring closure to this horrific unsolved homicide. Never Forget.

On February 11, 1998 Allen Ripka and Shelly Schantz were brutally murdered in their western Henrico home. Henrico investigators had never seen a crime scene that lacked such vital forensic evidence, and after following every plausible lead, the crime remains unsolved. Henrico Police have not forgotten this double homicide, but they need the community's help to bring closure to two families and a murderer to justice.

Two cousins murdered a year apart. Two lives cut short. Both were discovered by motorists along desolate roads in the county's east end, shot multiple times. They ran with a rough crowd, and paid the ultimate price. Even though the murders occurred more than two decades ago, someone knows who killed these young men. With the public's help and advances in forensic technology, Henrico Police may soon know as well.ÊNever Forget.

On Saturday, July 25th, 1998, Andrea Taylor was stabbed to death in Henrico County and her killer is still at large today. Join HCTV as we follow the police cold case unit's reinvestigation of this horrible crime and learn how it may soon be solved. With new technology available and the possibility of new witnesses coming forward, Henrico police are actively pursuing justice for the person responsible.

On September 17, 1994, 82 year-old great-grandmother Inez J. Childress was strangled and drowned in her own bathtub. The killer still remains at large, and police need your help in solving this horrific crime. Join HCTV as we talk to the Childress family members and original investigators on the scene of this homicide. One new lead for Henrico police may help to solve this crime and bring closure to the family. Never Forget.

Arianna "Peaches" Davis was last seen in the area of Masonic Lane and Nine Mile Road at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010. She was only 20 years old at the time and 6 weeks away from graduating college. Both her family and Henrico police suspect that Peaches was taken against her will. Henrico police have a strong suspect in this case who is linked to other violent crimes and they need your help in bringing this criminal to justice.

In January of 1991 Henrico Police discovered human skeletal remains wrapped in a blanket in a wooded area of the county. Evidence at the scene could not help identify the victim or lead police to a suspect. Nearly two decades later, a facial reconstruction sketch released to the media proved to be the key in uncovering the identity of this Jane Doe. Police are now hot on the trail of her killer and they need your help to find the murderer of Cynthia Gilliam-Ford. Never Forget.

Henrico County currently has more than 80 unsolved violent crimes, and the Cold Case Unit needs your help. HCTV takes you inside two cases that have gone unsolved for years. First, we'll explore the 1984 Hall-Margaret double murder that stunned a community and has baffled Henrico's most experienced investigators since 1984. Then we'll learn how DNA evidence has helped investigators get close to solving the 2001 shooting of Michael Edward Lowther. The Cold Case Unit may only be one phone call away from solving these cases and bringing closure to the families devastated by these horrific crimes. Never Forget.

On November 1, 2001 Janice Johnson, a wife and mother of three children, went missing. While Police located her abandoned car several days later, no other evidence has surfaced Ñ no crime scene, no body, no witnesses. In the years that have since passed, Henrico County Cold Case detectives have worked tirelessly to link a suspect to Janice's disappearance, but they still need that one tip, or one phone call to help solve the mystery of what happened to Janice Johnson.ÊNever Forget.

The James River has been a waterway for commercial vessels for centuries. Through the years, recreational activity on the river has increased in popularity and it's not uncommon to see anglers, skiers, canoers and kayakers year round. Henrico's Police and Fire Marine Patrol Units watch over the James ensuring public safety on the water just as they do on dry land. Join HCTV for an immersive look into the mission, tools and training of the men and women who patrol the river in On Board with the Henrico Marine Patrol.

Few people traveling through Laurel on Hungary Road seem to notice that they're in one of the county's historic districts, or that they're passing through the site of the state's first reformatory. HCTV takes an investigative journey into the dramatic and complex history of the Laurel Industrial School, examines its legacy, and sheds light on its place on the path to modern juvenile justice.

With polish and precision, the honor guards of Henrico County lead by quiet example and command respect for the flags of our nation, state and county. They also help honor the men and women who serve and sacrifice for us all. The Police and Fire divisions and the Sheriff's Office each has its own ceremonial unit. They continue a proud military tradition that dates to 1784 and the end of the American Revolution.

Henrico's animal shelter, its officers and its staff play a vital role in keeping our community safe. They also provide care and humane treatment of animals that support long, rewarding relationships between residents and their pets. Join HCTV as we visit the state-of-the-art animal shelter, meet a few of its residents and talk to the Animal Protection Police Officers about the adoption process, and what we all need to know about pet ownership in Henrico.

Police and Fire chaplains are volunteer ministers who provide pastoral care and spiritual support to the first responders and residents of Henrico County. Whether it's helping officers deal with stress on the job, or helping someone from the community through a difficult time, their compassion and gentle care can be invaluable during a crisis.

Henrico County is committed to providing its public schools with a safe learning environment. That's why specially trained police officers are assigned to work in each elementary, middle and high school. These school resource officers partner with school security officers, administrators and teachers, but they do far more than maintain order. Join HCTV as we talk to the officers and learn how they mentor, guide and protect Henrico's students.

When a medical emergency arises, Henrico County calls on a network of first responders to provide immediate care at the scene. These highly trained individuals are often members of the Division of Fire, but they also can be volunteers with one of the county's three independent rescue squads. Join HCTV as we learn more about the volunteers' professional training, equipment, and what drives them to help others.

Police officers put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect Henrico County residents. And sometimes, when the situation is complex, the stakes are high and lives are in danger, it's time to call in the SWAT team. Unified action and perfect precision are paramount to its successful operations, and team members must be ready to engage at a moment's notice. Join HCTV as we follow this elite, highly-trained, Special Weapons and Tactics team.

How can you tell when a person is lying? Oftentimes, his or her body will provide a clue Ñ a quick pulse, sweaty palms and stammering speech. For the better part of a century, police have interviewed suspected criminals using machines designed to help separate fact from fiction. These polygraphs Ñ or lie detectors Ñ have become an important investigative tool for law-enforcement agencies, including the Henrico County Police Division. But polygraphs have limited use and remain controversial, because the science behind them is imprecise.

Keeping alcohol out of the hands of underage drinkers is a team effort. Parents, school officials, law enforcement and community partners have joined together to teach tweens to twenties about the health risks and legal consequences that can result from a moment of poor judgment. HCTV talks to the experts about the steps they are taking to keep our young people safe.

Each spring and fall, the largest spectator sporting event in Virginia takes place right here in Henrico County, at Richmond International Raceway. NASCAR draws enormous crowds, and with an event this big you can bet many months of planning goes on behind the scenes. Learn how Henrico's public safety agencies work closely with RIR staff to ensure a safe, healthy, fan-friendly experience every time inÊA Unified Plan: Behind the Scenes with Police and Fire at Richmond International Raceway.

On August 17, 2015, 45 year old Jacque Gauthier was shot and killed while riding his bicycle in the area of Edgefield Street, just a few blocks from his home. With no apparent motive and very few clues, Henrico Police continue to investigate this active case and are asking for the public's help in solving it. Viewer discretion is advised.