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Slaying spurs seminars for Latino workers

Posted to: Crime News


NORFOLK

A plastic jar with Israel Rivera's photo sat on the counter Wednesday at El Deportista, a Guatemalan restaurant on East Little Creek Road.

In Spanish, a handwritten note taped on the jar read, "Please, we need your help."

Rivera, a roofer in his 20s, was fatally shot Saturday on Lisa Drive, off East Little Creek Road. A second man was also shot and injured.

The incident is under investigation.

Local business owners are trying to raise money to send Rivera's body back to Honduras.

Meanwhile, Norfolk police are trying to prevent similar incidents by hosting safety seminars this weekend for temporary workers.

Officer Damaso Medel said the meetings aim to reduce the likelihood that such workers are targets for robbery.

Medel, the Police Department's Hispanic resource officer, said Latino workers sometimes make themselves vulnerable by carrying cash instead of keeping their money in a bank or secure location.

"They have to be aware that they can't just go to a store and take a wad of money out of their pocket while everybody is watching them," Medel said.

The sessions are from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Miles Memorial United Methodist Church, at 9450 Granby St., and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the police precinct at 2500 N. Military H w y.

Medel said he'll urge his audiences to carry only as much money as they need for shopping or daily purchases.

Robbery victims should also comply with an assailant's demands, Medel said.

"What happened on Lisa Drive, the gentleman walked away from the assailant, and that's a big no-no, especially when someone is pointing a gun at you," he said.

Medel said Rivera's brother in Connecticut had come to Norfolk to oversee arrangements for the repatriation.

Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com




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