NPD

What NPD Is Doing for Our Neighborhoods

Specialized Units

Specialized police units are positioned in greater crime concentration areas throughout our City which are identified through statistical data. What does this mean? The Crime Analysis Section identifies these areas and patterns of violent and property crime, drilling down on these locations and deploying NPD resources, thus preventing, or reducing criminal activity. For example, NPD now engages directed patrols targeting areas of greatest need such as target traffic enforcement, special initiatives such as the Granby Street Detail or Violent Crime Initiative.

Our Commitment

Because it can’t be done in a vacuum, our ongoing commitment to keeping Norfolk residents safe and supported includes joining forces with our citizens and organizations via collaborative programs like the Norfolk Nighthawks basketball league, National Night Out, St. Paul’s Advisory Committees and Summer Food Program. These are some of the ways we lift up our residents and embrace community.

Community Partnerships

Newark Community Street Team

The City of Norfolk has partnered with New Jersey based Newark Community Street Team (NCST). NCST was founded by Mayor Ras J. Baraka as Newark’s community-based violence reduction strategy. NCST draws upon an evidence-based, trauma informed approach to violence reduction. 

Norfolk Nighthawks

The Norfolk Nighthawks returned in 2022! Focused on residents 18+, Norfolk Nighthawks is a nighttime basketball tournament with an emphasis on positive activities while providing additional information like employment opportunities, professional development, G.E.D. enrollment, healthcare services, and more.

Business Compliance Unit (BCU)

The Business Compliance Unit (BCU) has been operating throughout the City since its creation with the 2023 Budget last July. The team has taken full command of its mission – ensuring new and existing businesses are compliant with City regulations.

In its first six months, the BCU has performed inspections at all hours and in all corners of the City, inspecting businesses ranging from nightclubs to convenience stores and from used car dealerships to short-term rentals. Always performed in a friendly and helpful manner, these inspections serve to inform business operators of regulations, assist them in getting compliant where issues are identified, and confirm compliance moving forward.

Trusted Partners

Trusted Partners is a faith-based leaders group comprised of Norfolk-based ministers, community and faith-based organizations, and city staff that meet monthly to discuss important topical items and updates from the City of Norfolk. The goal and/or mission of the group is to serve as a “thinktank” and an engagement/advisory for municipal government and the City Manager. We strive to facilitate and build community partnerships and serve as informed and trusted purveyors of good news to the citizenry, the church community, and faith-based organizations. Between meetings, we share information and updates relative to city-sponsored events, activities, grant/sponsorship opportunities, and initiatives that enhance livability, strengthen resiliency, and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Norfolk Police Foundation Mini Grants

The City of Norfolk (City) has worked with the Newark Community Street Team (NCST) to design and implement a community violence intervention program. The key near-term objective was to create a mini-grant program while longer-term activities are in-progress.

The City offered a Summer/Fall mini-grant program to provide low-barrier funding to Norfolk communities most impacted by gun violence. The goal of the program is to promote recovery, healing, recreation, and community-building.

The City partnered with the Norfolk Police Foundation (Foundation) to distribute the funding the program.

Norfolk Police Department, Community Affairs

Educating Citizens About Keeping Safe

Community outreach is a regular part of the Community Affairs Section. Members of the unit are in constant touch with residents, businesses, civic leagues, and other organizations in an effort to educate citizens about keeping their property and themselves safe.

Neighborhood Watch

The Community Affairs officers are proactive in contacting civic leagues to encourage the establishment of Neighborhood Watch in their neighborhoods. A strong civic league is important for combating crime in neighborhoods and Neighborhood Watch is one tool that civic leagues can use to assist with these efforts.

Civic Leagues

Community Affairs officers can address criminal activity and neighborhood concerns within the scope of each civic league, and offer education and awareness programs to assist members in recognizing and combating crime.

News & Resources

Civic League General Members Meeting Recap: Monday, April 14, 2025

Our NEW registered agent, Grayson T. Orsini, a Senior Associate with Williams Mullen, spoke at our meeting to introduce himself and talked to the audience about what a registered agent does and how we can support the civic league moving forward.

Officer Brenton Blakeslee, our Community Resource Officer, provided the latest crime report. He talked a bit about a “swatting,” a term used to describe when police are falsely called on a residence/person, in regards to a false call incident that had happened in the neighborhood earlier that morning. He also noted that car break-ins have been on a notable rise this month and to take ensure doors are locked and not leave valuables in plain sight. Officer Blakeslee also spoke about a minors curfew hour of 11pm in effect. Also he shared that while they are aware of the racing motor bikes/4-wheelers, but that they are not permitted by law to pursue offenders once in motion due to safety reasons, making it difficult to make arrests.

Gene Ward, resident of Colonial Place and nominee for Civic League Vice President, introduced himself to the attending members and shared a bit about his background in community work.

Upcoming Social Event: CPRV Easter Egg Hunt | 4/19 at 10am (Delaware/Colonial Circle) – Social gathering and Easter Egg Hunt for kids with some light refreshments provided. See CPRV facebook group page for more event details.

Next Month’s Meeting: On May 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM, we will return to Kingdom Embassy Ministries.

Reminder to Pay Your Dues: If you are interested in being a part of the civic league and want to support the efforts and service we provide to the community, please consider a membership. It is $10 per person under 65 and $5 per person 65+. Click Here to Learn More.

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