The Petersburg Police Department held a multi-agency security and safety briefing on Wednesday ahead of the opening of Live! Casino in Petersburg, as law enforcement officials prepare for a sharp rise in visitors and related public safety challenges.
More than half a dozen law enforcement agencies attended the meeting at the temporary casino site, where participants were briefed by the casino’s head of security, as reported by WVTR-TV.
The session also featured input from Stephen Jenkins, chief of the Portsmouth Police Department, who shared lessons learned from Portsmouth’s casino opening, including operational and crowd management challenges.
“[They] experienced it, went through the actual same thing that we’re preparing to go through,” Petersburg Police Chief Travis Christian said, referring to Portsmouth authorities.
Christian said Jenkins outlined issues related to traffic flow, crowd volumes, and sudden impacts on public safety.
“He was able to give us some of the challenges that we’re going to deal with as it relates to traffic concerns, overall crowds, sudden impacts, as it relates to even crime,” Christian said. “So having those partners together today was very important to us so that we can prepare.”
Police officials estimate the casino will attract about 100,000 visitors per month, a level of activity they say will have effects beyond the city limits. The planning efforts are focused on traffic management, crowd control, and broader public safety concerns as the opening approaches.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/12/23/116917-virginia-petersburg-police-step-up-preparations-ahead-of-casino-opening
