THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411180151
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
City Councilwoman Louisa Strayhorn offered residents a chance Wednesday to speak their minds about dealing with crime. Few, however, took up her offer.
The dozen who did attend the elected official's fourth town meeting expressed concern about handguns at schools and ways of controlling them.
Strayhorn, who noted citizens' responses on a large white pad mounted on an easel, mentioned expulsion as one current method of punishment available to school administrators.
Others in the Tallwood High School audience, however, suggested criminal prosecution.
``Make the consequences fit the crime,'' said Wally Erb. ``Have the commonwealth's attorney prosecute and publish it in the paper.''
E.P. Usowski complained about student behavior in neighborhoods adjacent to high school football stadiums on Friday night.
Usowski said that mailboxes and other property is vandalized. Why, he asked, couldn't police enforce the 11 p.m. curfew?
Lt. W.S. Boswell of the Virginia Beach Police Department, who was on hand Wednesday to answer questions, said that off-duty officers provide security at the stadiums on game night, but that Friday night is an active one for police.
``We have 85 officers at the 4th Precinct,'' said Boswell. ``They patrol an area from Green Run to the Chesapeake line and to the Norfolk line at Newtown Road. Three shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.''
Patrolmen are forced to concentrate on serious crimes against people and property.
If they're on the way to a shooting or robbery, they can't stop to cite curfew violators, Boswell said.
``No community is ever going to have enough police to make Friday night as safe as Sunday afternoon.''
Strayhorn pointed out that pro-active programs also can act as a deterrent.
She asked residents about their own neighborhood/community watch efforts.
Carol Lare and Sue Cotthaus, of the Glenwood Community Association, talked about using neighborhood watch to reduce problems, such as cars illegally parked in their swimming pool parking lot after hours.
Nony Abrajano, chairperson of the Filipino-American Community Action Group, spoke about his work with families to prevent drug abuse and gang violence before they develop.
``Parents tell me they're busy, have to work all the time,'' Abrajano said. ``I ask them, how long does it take to tell your kid you love him?'' ILLUSTRATION: NEXT MEETING
Louisa Strayhorn will hold her next town meeting from 7 to 9 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Tallwood High School.
by CNB