THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994 TAG: 9406090543
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: D4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN E. QUINONES MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940609 LENGTH: NORFOLK
``We are stretched to the limit - in terms of manpower, and we need to make it clear that we need additional resources,'' Police Chief Melvin C. High told the senators of the general government and public safety subcommittees at the World Trade Center.
{REST} ``But I am happy to say there has been an overall decline in crime last year, and I believe the downward trend can be attributed to community policing,'' High said.
Serious crimes in Norfolk were at an all-time high in 1989, but have gone down every year since then, Dick Hickman, a committee staff member, said at the meeting.
In 1993, there were 8,502 serious crimes - which represents a 17 percent decrease from 1989.
Hickman also said there were 661 drug arrests in Norfolk in 1989 and 424 in 1992 - a 36 percent decrease. However, there was a 116 percent increase in juvenile drug-related arrests.
Hickman told the senators that Norfolk should be commended for its success in fighting crime, and said other cities should take note of Norfolk's Police Assisted Community Enforcement - commonly known as PACE.
One of the things PACE does, High told the senators, is encourage community members to get involved in the policing of their neighborhoods and letting police officers know what's going on.
It is because of the PACE program, High said, that the Norfolk Police Department has been able to meet job demands despite inadequate resources.
``PACE,'' High said with a smile, ``certainly allows us to give more for the buck.''
{KEYWORDS} CRIME NORFOLK DECREASE
by CNB