Nightlife liaison urges city leadership to rebrand Shacklebottom amid safety and parking concerns

Juan Braxton, a longtime business owner and criminal justice chair for the Richmond NAACP, spoke during the public comment period about public safety and economic struggles in the Shacklebottom nightlife district.

Braxton said crime statistics have fallen and commended the police for reducing crime, but said the neighborhood still appears “like a crime scene” to visitors because of frequent police presence, barricades and yellow tape. He said the nightlife community has worked to de‑escalate incidents on site but that the police alone cannot create a welcoming brand for the entertainment district.

Braxton summarized a survey he conducted that found over 45% of respondents felt “unsafe or very unsafe” in Shacklebottom at night, more than 75% were highly dissatisfied with parking, and only 11% described their nightlife experience as satisfying. He urged the city to stop using blockades and to have officers walk the streets to create a more welcoming environment. He said he had already met with Council President Cynthia Newbill, who he described as receptive.

Council members thanked Braxton for raising the issues and encouraged further conversation among Braxton, the police chief and council. Chair Trammell and others noted the department’s staffing losses since 2020 and invited Braxton to continue discussions on parking and community policing.