The Virginian-Pilot
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NORFOLK
The leaders of Old Dominion University and the city of Norfolk sought Friday to ease fears about a rise in violent crimes in neighborhoods around the school by pledging to "aggressively and jointly" attack the problem two days after a non-student was gunned down on a street thick with student renters.
"Students and Norfolk citizens alike are justifiably apprehensive," said a statement released to ODU and neighboring communities from Mayor Paul Fraim and ODU Acting President John R. Broderick.
The pair said they've asked their police chiefs to work together to increase patrols. The city and university police departments already are exchanging information and cooperating on investigations, the statement said.
Increased car and bicycle patrols around the Hampton Boulevard campus are also planned, according to the statement. Other proposals are to resurrect an earlier City Council, ODU and community task force to study crime prevention in the area, increase Norfolk Police Department patrols, and discuss locating a police station or substation nearby, said Jennifer Mullen, a university spokeswoman.
"It's been very gratifying today, because we have the full support of the city" in helping resolve the safety issue, said Mullen, who has fielded numerous calls from concerned parents of students.
Karlton Robert Jackson, 23, was shot and killed Wednesday night on West 41st Street, less than a block from university housing. This fall, students have been victims of several robberies and other violent acts just off campus.
ODU's growing residential nature, with more students choosing to live on or near campus, also creates more opportunities for criminals, Mullen said.
The joint statement from Fraim and Broderick was posted on the university's Web site and e-mailed to students, faculty and some concerned parents. Mullen also posted it on a page of the Facebook online social networking site, created Thursday by a student who lives across from where Jackson died.
The site is called "ODU Is Not Safe!!!!!!!!" Mullen said she wanted students to know they're being heard.
By Friday night, the site claimed 382 members. By Saturday, it had 1,260 members. The site link is http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41079961569
Matthew Bowers, (757) 222-3893, matthew.bowers@pilotonline.com
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GO STRAIGHT TO THE HORNETS NEST
Increasing police patrols in the area will have little effect. I consider it to be nothing more than window dressing. Many of the arrested suspects in these numerous robberies/shootings are from the Park Place and Lamberts Point neighborhoods. (Neighborhoods adjacent to ODU) The City of Norfolk (Police) and the University cannot continue to swat the hornets. They must go directly to the hornets nest. The city should watch these neighborhoods for housing code violations, fine landlords, and, acquire through eminent domain, housing that has elevated reports of crime and code violations. Once said housing has been acquired it should be bulldozed. A spirited effort should be made to increase home ownership in Park Place and Lamberts Point. Rental housing needs to be decreased. Unfortunately, with the recent Supreme Court decision, much of the housing acquisition through eminent domain will be hard, if not impossible, to achieve.
ODU
This is a very good school that borders a very bad area; is that too hard for local officials to figure out?
Please step up the police patrols and presence in the area and teach these young people that a "common sense" approach is important in dealing with these villians. Walk in groups, stay in areas that have lights, be aware of your surroundings etc.
Peace,Love & Understanding can only go so far when there's a gun in your belly or knife at your neck.
CORRECTION
CORRECTION: By Friday night, the site claimed 1,135 members.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41079961569