RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Police hope a new public safety initiative will help end a pattern of violence in the city around spring break. Friday, March 27 marks the launch of the city's "Spring Forward Initiative" -- a collaboration between the Richmond Police Department (RPD), Virginia Stat e Police (VSP) and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP). In a release, RPD said the program enhances public safety and ensures a secure environment during spring break. After a string of violence involving teenagers and children over spring break in 2025, police said something had to change. "At least two 15-year-olds was shot and one happened to be a homicide," said Major Ronnie Armstead with RPD. "Because of what happened with that, we want our youth to enjoy their spring break. [Then] after spring break, [get] back to school and not lose a life -- not have to worry about anybody being shot." Starting Friday, RPD and VSP will conduct traffic enforcement initiatives, while detectives focus investigations on weapons, juvenile violence and pop-ups, such as Airbnb parties. Free "Spring Forward" events will also be taking place around the city starting Monday, March 30. LIST: Free youth events in Richmond for a safe spring break "The youth have something to do, you know, over the spring break," Armstead said. "We have something to do, an event to go to somewhere to enjoy yourself. We're hoping that that will quell a lot of the violence." Armstead said RPD can't stop all juvenile violence on its own. He said parents need to be involved and should be mindful of what their child is doing during spring break. "Police, we can't be there all day," Armstead said. "We can't be the parent. You know, we're not there all day. So we need the parent to also be the parent. So come, bring your children, be there with them." ...read more read less