Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis joined WINA Morning News to discuss community engagement and recent law enforcement efforts. Reflecting on National Night Out, Kochis expressed pride in the event’s success, noting a larger turnout this year after its revival post-pandemic. “What a great event… we started last year, we had a great turnout and an even bigger turnout this year,” he said. 

Chief Kochis also addressed the challenges of handling sensitive cases, such as the recent Nassau Street incident. He emphasized the importance of balancing public interest with the wishes of affected families. “I think I owed it to them to respect their wishes, and that’s what we did,” Kochis said, explaining his decision not to release certain case details. 

He highlighted the department’s efforts in reducing crime, stating, “Our homicides are down 80%… we’re making a lot of progress, but we still have a lot of work to do.” Kochis reassured listeners of the safety of the downtown area despite ongoing challenges with homelessness. “The downtown mall is safe… what you’re seeing on the downtown mall is a comfort issue,” he said.  

Listen to the full conversation here: