
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 22, 1990                   TAG: 9007220046
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Short

REPORTED RACIAL FIGHTS AT BEACH DROP

An outbreak of racial confrontations on the oceanfront has slowed this month because of the efforts of black leaders and increased police presence, authorities say.

According to a report released by Virginia Beach police Friday, only three racially motivated confrontations were reported at the beach between July 1 and July 21. Forty-four such incidents were reported between May 6 and July 21, resulting in 62 arrests - mostly for assaults, disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct.

About half of the incidents involved physical attacks and half were limited to threats or racial slurs. Those arrested were typically black males in their late teens and early 20s, but some whites also have been arrested.

"For at least the last three weeks it's been relatively quiet," said police Capt. Clyde Hathaway, commanding officer at the oceanfront. He said the number of incidents began to drop after police deployed undercover officers and stepped up midnight curfew sweeps of juveniles.

Hathaway said local leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also have helped slow the attacks. On June 22, NAACP leaders denounced the attacks as "immoral" and "unacceptable."

by CNB