THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601190246
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
She may not be on the front lines donning a badge, wearing a bullet-proof vest and packing a pistol, but Anne Green does what she can to protect the streets of her hometown.
For years, the Portsmouth native and Port Norfolk resident has worked quietly behind-the-scenes to help eradicate crime within the city.
As president of the Portsmouth Crime Prevention Steering Committee, Green has been known to spend up to four days a week - without pay - at the city's Crime Prevention Unit in Fairwood Homes.
``I just have a concern for all the neighborhoods in our city, I really do, because I have a lot of friends that live here, and I'd like to see crime reduced in all the neighborhoods,'' the 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School said.
Though she has no desire to join the police department or even become an auxiliary officer, Green is a regular where law enforcement officials often converge.
She's seen annually at National Night Out, an event in which citizens send a message to the criminal element by parading through the streets at night with flashlights and anti-crime posters; at candlelight vigils where residents have rallied against violence in Portsmouth; and at conferences on police-community relations.
Her goal is to create a partnership among police, city officials and the citizens of Portsmouth. In her most recent endeavor, Green served as co-chair of the Crime Summit, which was held Saturday at Hunt-Mapp Middle School.
It was Green's involvement with the Port Norfolk Civic League that spurred her involvement in crime-prevention issues. In the seven years she has been with the Crime Prevention Steering Committee, she has been president for four.
``I think any crime is exasperating, regardless of what it is, I really do,'' Green said when asked what offenses she finds particularly annoying.
``Any crime that is committed on a person is a violation of their rights, their property or their bodies. I just think crime that happens to anybody is a shame.''
Name: V. Anne Green.
Nickname: None.
Neighborhood: Port Norfolk.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 50.
Birthplace: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: 9-16-45.
Occupation: Professional volunteer.
What job other than your own would you like? None.
Marital status: Married for 29 years.
Children: Son, Lee, 28.
Fondest childhood memory: Many good memories growing up in Port Norfolk.
First concert: Beach Boys in Hampton in 1967.
What song or book title best describes your life? ``So Excited'' by the Pointer Sisters.
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? I would set up a trust fund for my son.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? No one else. I am happy being me!
Biggest accomplishment: Raising my son.
Most embarrassing moment: Falling out of a chair.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To slow down.
Perfect way to spend the day: Relaxing with my family.
I can't resist: Any type of junk food.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Lobscouser.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: My home.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Crime.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
For the neighborhoods to become one with each other, rather than being concerned only with themselves.
Reduction in crime.
More businesses.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? All the good people who live here. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB