
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994                    TAG: 9406140147 
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON                     PAGE: 10    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT 
DATELINE: 940615                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEIGHBORS WORK TO RECLAIM COMMUNITY FROM DRUG DEALERS

{LEAD} David McClenney warmed hot dogs on a gas grill last Saturday as he talked about the uphill struggle of his neighborhood and how the community is ``coming together.''

As president of the Pine Oaks neighborhood association, McClenney was doing his part to celebrate the neighborhood's turnaround by putting together the third annual Gospel Outreach Carnival. McClenney and other concerned parents and community supporters hosted the festivities Saturday to encourage residents to eradicate problems that have beset their neighborhood, tucked between the toll road and Thalia Garden Apartments off Bonney Road.

{REST} ``It has been tough. We've had drugs in the place, other things that are bad for the kids,'' said McClenney. ``We started doing something to get our neighborhood back.''

Among the things they've done recently is organize a sports program for youths in the neighborhood, offer educational opportunities for adults and build stronger ties with the police officers who routinely patrol there.

Among the things they did Saturday afternoon was mix music, fun and games with a serious message they wanted to deliver.

Neighborhood children had a chance to win sports trading cards from Virginia Beach police officer Raymond Mireles of the Third Precinct. A line of about 50 kids queued up to win cards of their favorite football, baseball and basketball stars.

``I try to make it fun and interesting for them,'' said Mireles, as he shuffled rubber-banded sets and offered chances to win.

Melvin E. Stackhouse, pastor of the Gates of Heaven Ministry, spoke to the gathering and reminded them that the life of the spirit offered more hope than the life of the street.

Virginia Beach police officer Genesis Marcum of the Third Precinct and the Revelation Ministries band played gospel music.

Hope Brock of the Virginia Beach YMCA, one of the sponsoring organizations, echoed McClenney's comments about unifying the community.

``This is really for these kids, to help form youth sports teams, to help them achieve through education and give them a chance and hope.''

The Adult Learning Center will furnish books and a teacher for those who want to obtain their GED, said Brock.

The reigning Miss Portsmouth Seawall, Enga Davis, joined the festivities and sold raffle tickets for a 27-inch color TV. The proceeds went to a drug prevention program.

Brock said the activities exceeded expectations:

``We wanted to get as many people as possible to attend. Actually, we had a few more than we expected. The Third Precinct has been a big help. They have formed a Neighborhood Advisory council . . . with monthly meetings. It's been a positive move.''

by CNB