Want safety tips? Norfolk police begin series of public sessions

NORFOLK

Detective G.D. Ballance of the city's gang squad showed an audience of about 150 people Wednesday night a photograph of a youth's bedroom door.

"Thug Life" and other graffiti covered the inside portion of the door. The youth's room, a parent told Ballance, was private.

Not so, he advised the group.

"Get in that room," Ballance said. "Check it out."

Those were the kind of tips that community members heard at a forum at James Monroe Elementary School in Park Place, the first of several planned for this year.

Attendees broke into small groups to hear presentations on topics such as crime prevention, domestic violence, sexual assault, code enforcement and professional standards in the Police Department.

In a crime prevention session, Officer Sandy Parker said police evaluate homes and businesses free of charge for vulnerabilities to crooks. They look for a visible address, so police could find the property quickly if called; she talked about basics such as lighting, and shrubs that hide windows.

Other tips included using gun locks to secure weapons - police offered them for free - and better locks to secure homes.

Carlos Howard, a community businessman and activist, said he was impressed. "They know what they're talking about, and they're excellent communicators," he said.

Park Place Civic League President Alton Robinson said such efforts could help build police relationships with the community. "I think it's very useful and will help the community be safer," he said.

The forum was the first in a series of six to be held every other month. The next is scheduled for June 18 at the Southside Boys and Girls Club.

"We wanted to start with Park Place," Chief Bruce P. Marquis told the crowd. "... It's a community we have strong ties with."

Matthew Roy, (757) 446-2540, matthew.roy@pilotonline.com