THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512030053
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
This city, stained with the blood of a record 37 killings this year, cannot simply look to government or the police for salvation, a minister warned a small gathering of concerned citizens Saturday night.
``In order for us to change our community, we are going to have to change our homes,'' declared the Rev. M.O. Marriner, the Grove Baptist Church minister who organized the downtown candlelight vigil.
Families need to be strong and to provide their young with a spiritual and moral compass that is taught by example and deed, he said. And from that, the city can start turning its youth away from the crime that is plaguing the community.
And neighborhoods, churches and civic organizations must unite to carry forward the fight against incivility.
``The problem of crime is too big for the police department . . . or any one church. No one can do this alone,'' Marriner said. ``But there are some 200 churches in this city. We must join forces. We must put our faith into action . . . and with that power, we will succeed.''
His words drew a warm reception from a crowd of about 100 people huddled together against the night's chill for a short ceremony at Veteran's Riverfront Park. They gathered in the glow of a nearby Christmas tree, ablaze with a thousand white lights.
Marriner's appeal brought an enthusiastic endorsement from Portsmouth's police chief.
``We've asked the community over and over to help us to help themselves,'' said Chief Dennis A. Mook. ``And I think this is the beginning of a big change in Portsmouth. I think it's going to snowball. It's taken 45 years to get where we are today from the 1950s,'' when people could leave their home unlocked and walk the streets without fear in the night. ``Now it's time to make a turn and go back the other way.''
By next year at this time, Mook hopes to see a crowd ``10 times as large,'' gather to mark ``a better Christmas for all our residents.''
Saturday night's vigil, also attended by Councilman Bernard D. Griffin Sr., provided a serious conclusion to the otherwise joyous evening as the city's colorful Christmas parade wound down High Street.
``I wish more people were here,'' said Sheila Miltier, 24, who said she recently moved to Portsmouth. ``I like the city. It's not a big city like Norfolk, yet it's not all spread out like Virginia Beach. But it seems like there's more violence here than in both those cities. I want to feel safe.''
She is not alone.
``I want to see a reduction of crime in Portsmouth and I want to see a cohesiveness between the police, the city officials and the people,'' said Anne Green, president of the Portsmouth Crime Prevention Steering Committee.
The problem, she said, is outsiders.
``There are a lot of people coming in to buy drugs and they cause the problems,'' Green said. ``Otherwise, there are a lot of good people in Portsmouth.''
Unemployment and a lack of education also drive some into crime, she said.
Marriner warned that no one in the city should think they are not threatened .
``There is a street, a boulevard of crime coming to where you live,'' he said, urging all residents to take responsibility and help.
``I have not come with something you can put in the oven and cook overnight,'' Marriner said. Solving the problem of violence and crime in the city will take time. ``This is the letter A. The first step. We are going to get started. We are going to make a major change, a difference, in this community.''
Step B comes Jan. 20 when the city's new Neighborhood Enhancement and Action Teams program will host a crime forum at Hunt-Mapp Middle School.
``We're doing it with the hope of reaching as many citizens as possible,'' said Sgt. Steve Jackson, coordinator of the program.
Marriner said the effort must be as diverse as the city itself if it is to succeed, crossing over boundary of race, religion and class.
``More blacks than whites are being killed; more men than women,'' he acknowledged. ``But the blood is still the same: it's red. When someone dies, death is death. . . . We want to give our young people life!'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
BETH BERGMAN/The Virginian-Pilot
Chris Lane, left, and Jamie Moore, both of Portsmouth, were among
the 100 people who turned out for Saturday night's vigil.
by CNB