Police investigate Richmond's first homicide of 2012

On Wednesday police discovered a man stabbed to death in broad daylight in Richmond's first homicide of 2012.

Richmond police said they were baffled as to why someone stabbed Jimmy Lai to death along MacDonald Avenue. They don't believe the 57-year-old victim had any enemies.

"We don't know what the motive is," said Richmond police Sgt. Bisa French. "We don't know if there was any argument before. We are definitely looking for that information."

Nearly six years ago, when Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus took the helm of the department, he had no idea that the nextyear the city would hit an all-time homicide high with 47 killings. Thenthree years later in 2010, the department recorded only 21 -- a record low.

The numbers inched up last year, but Doris Lum is focused on making Richmond safer. Her Lion's Club targets neighborhoods that need the most help.

"I did the census 2000, then 2010 and I walked all of Richmond and never had a problem," Lum said.

She's seen a sense of pride with new neighbors.

"I've seen a change in the type of people that have moved in," she said. "They're a little more family-oriented than they were before."

The department said residents are more willing to give information to police after a crime is committed.

"We've kind of proven over the years there has really never been any retaliation over someone who's called police to give information," French said.

In Point Richmond, City Councilman Tom Butt followed Richmond's downward crime trend, giving credit to an effective police chief and the Office of Neighborhood Safety.

"He's (Chief Magnus) done a real great job of creating geographic-based and unity-based policing, which has been very effective overall," Butt said.