Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412270116
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B6 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
VIRGINIA BEACH - For the seventh consecutive year, Virginia Beach was the safest city of its size in the nation in 1993.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Virginia Beach recorded the lowest crime rate among cities with populations between 200,000 and 700,000. The group includes Atlanta, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Richmond and Norfolk.
Virginia Beach police spokesman Lou Thurston said there were many reasons for the low crime. ``We have superb cooperation from the citizens. It's everybody working together, not just the police department.''
Virginia Beach's ranking could be in jeopardy in 1994 because of murders. By Thursday, 35 people had been killed, six more than the record of 29 in 1991. Two quadruple homicides occurred this year.
- Associated Press
Teen dies after inhaling butane
STERLING - A teen-ager whose body was found in a shopping center parking lot apparently died from inhaling butane, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
Christopher L. Glidden, 18, of Sterling stumbled out of a car Thursday at the Countryside Shopping Center in Sterling and collapsed.
Investigators found two small cans of butane near his body and two other cans in the car.
Butane, used in cigarette lighters and stoves, is an inhalant drug, along with aerosols, Freon and glue. Youths in recent years use it to ``huff,'' or inhale by spraying into a plastic bag for a cheap high.
- Associated Press
Support overwhelms shootout jewelers
RICHMOND - Gary Baker's jewelry store has been swamped with cards, flowers and letters of support since he and his brother shot and killed two armed men who entered the store the morning of Dec. 2.
Baker, owner of Beverly Hills Jewelers in Henrico County, said he has heard from friends, strangers, regular customers, clergymen and police officers. Even Gov. George Allen told him he did the right thing, Baker said.
``Things like that have really helped our crew get over the stress we were under,'' Baker said. ``The support has been great.''
- Associated Press
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB