THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 10, 1996 TAG: 9601100423
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Police and prosecutors told the City Council on Tuesday that they have to do better at fighting violent crime and they are setting high goals for the coming year - including solving homicides within 72 hours and trying murder cases within five months.
``We've never had standards and goals on solving homicides,'' Commonwealth's Attorney Martin Bullock told the City Council. ``This is a bold commitment on our part and we're going to be measured by it.''
Already, he said, creating a squad of detectives exclusively to investigate murders has pushed the rate of solved murders from 40to 50 percent to nearly 75 percent for the last few months of 1995.
Bullock set out nine violent crime initiatives for 1996. They included charging homicide suspects within 72 hours and arresting those suspects within five days of the crime.
Bullock said slow investigations accounted for 13 unsolved murder cases in 1994 and nine unsolved cases last year. He said that, by allowing murderers to get away, the city was sending a message that Portsmouth is easy on crime.
While the prosecutor's office has an 80 percent conviction rate for murders, he said, they can do better. He said his office would complete all homicide trials within 5 months.
``Now it's nine to 12 months before these cases go to trial,'' Bullock said. ``And we're losing witnesses or they forget details.''
Bullock is also working with Del. William S. Moore to implement legislation that would call for higher or no bonds in murder cases.
Many murder suspects are out on bond while awaiting trial, and, Bullock said, they use this time to intimidate witnesses and scare them from testifying.
Also, over the past several months the police department has dedicated a squad of detectives to investigate homicides exclusively. In the past, homicide detectives had to investigate violent crimes and robberies as well.
The city also will continue working with federal agencies in investigating violent crimes, and maintaining a robbery task force.
Police Chief Dennis Mook said in addition to these initiatives, he plans to continue to implement Neighborhood Enhancement and Action teams through more neighborhoods in the city.
Mook said the police also have increased drug arrests and moved some drug dealers out of neighborhoods.
Mook also announced that Portsmouth won a federal grant this week which will allow the city to hire five additional police officers.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CIRCUIT COURT CRIME by CNB