THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503210119
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
I recently received a parking ticket. Such an incident would be understandable since I was parked in a restricted parking zone. What is not understandable is, as I was receiving the ticket, my fiancee was being harassed by an unyielding vagrant no less than 20 yards away. The local constabulary was more concerned with administering a $15 ticket rather than providing protection for one of its constituents. This took place across the street from ODU.
This past year, I have seen many examples of the Norfolk police being more concerned with providing revenue for the city than taking a firm stand against the problems that cause the depreciation of property and induce fear into the community. A group of marauding youths rear-ended my fiancee in an unlit section of Ocean View. When she pulled over and flagged down a policeman, his response was to suggest that she call the local precinct and file a complaint. The youths simply drove away.
Another case involved a resident being cited for having an open container of beer on his lawn tractor while cutting his grass. Meanwhile, no less than a block away, drug dealers were throwing a party and many of the party-goers were toting around open bottles of beer without fear of reprisal. We have had our vehicles broken into on a regular basis. Gunshots are heard throughout the night. Typically, the response from the police is to call in and file a complaint.
There is no question as to why people have lost faith and respect for the police. What will it take before people decide enough is enough? I have heard of complaints by the police about lack of funding or manpower. Why can't priority be placed on cleaning up the neighborhoods and encouraging more tax-paying people to stay or move in, rather than to bleed dry the few who have stayed in spite of the decay?
The other day, at a local drugstore, I overheard some youths making derogatory remarks about some policemen who were in the store. I found myself telling them they should change their attitude, as the police were there for their protection. Hey, guys, how about giving us something to believe in?
Caesar Gonzales
East Ocean View Avenue Let the kids play
I live in Winona, a ``dead end'' neighborhood, bordered on three sides with water, three streets, each two blocks long, with a couple of cul-de-sacs off of one street and one street connecting the three.
My son and numerous other neighborhood kids play street hockey on the connecting street. One day the police came by, said they were ``obstructing traffic'' and had to move. I want it known I think the Norfolk Police Department is the best I have ever come in contact with and have no complaints with the officers responding to the frivolous complaint of ``obstructing traffic'' on this connecting street.
I have lived in this neighborhood for over 10 years and have always thought of it a nice, quiet neighborhood where the kids can be safe and enjoy growing up. I find it difficult to believe anyone could be so upset at a minor inconvenience that they would call the police on kids that are actually having fun, instead of the multitude of things they could be doing to cause trouble.
These kids have been playing hockey for several months. To my knowledge they always move the net when a car comes and have moved off of one of the ``main'' streets to avoid timeouts for cars. I would like to think a situation such as this could be handled in the neighborhood without the involvement of the police.
I wonder what type of life-threatening situation the complainant had to consider this ``traffic obstruction'' such a serious offense. After all, they would have to travel all of one block to avoid them. People like this are the ones that probably complain about the police not doing their job and going after the real criminals in this city.
William F. Rhees
Morris Avenue by CNB