General Members Meeting | October 14, 2024
On Monday, October 14th, starting at 6:30 PM, we were joined by Super Ward 6 School Board Candidates Rebecca Topping and Sarah DiCalogero (represented by her husband and campaign Treasurer, Darren Wesley).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
On Monday, October 14th, starting at 6:30 PM, we were joined by Super Ward 6 School Board Candidates Rebecca Topping and Sarah DiCalogero (represented by her husband and campaign Treasurer, Darren Wesley).
October is packed with community events!
Join us on October 14th for the Civic League meeting with Norfolk School Board candidate Rebecca Topping at Kingdom Embassy Ministries.
Don’t miss the 23rd Annual Front Porch Art Walk on October 6th from 12 to 5 PM. There are fall craft tips and local city workshops and more. Read now!
On Monday, September 9th, starting at 6:00 PM, we took a field trip to Elizabeth River Project’s new Ryan Resilience Lab located at 4160 Colley Avenue. From 6 pm to 636 pm, Brandon from Electrified Marina brought two of their fan tail boats to the dock behind Ryan Resilience Lab for attendees to enjoy 15 min rides to the Granby Street bridge and back while learning more about Electrified Marina and their electric watercraft. Starting just before 6:40 pm we began the general session meeting with a report from our Community Resource Officer, and a few updates from the board. The night culminated with an engaging and informative walking tour of the new Ryan Resilience Lab hosted by Jamie Melvin from Elizabeth River Project, accompanied by a Q&A session throughout the tour.
AVAILABLE NOW – Don’t miss this month’s newsletter! Discover upcoming events like our Sept 9th Resilience Lab tour and the 23rd Annual Art Walk on Oct 6th. Plus, find ways to connect with neighbors, renew your CPRV membership, and get involved in shaping our community. Dive in at CPRV.net!
23rd Annual Colonial Place & Riverview Front Porch Art Walk. Sunday, October 6, 2024 • 12 to 5pm. “We are really looking forward to this year’s event! Bringing art, joy, fun, creativity and a sense of community feels really timely for everyone now. Our goal remains to showcase all of the creative residents in Colonial Place & Riverview. Friends and family who are not residents are still welcomed to participate via their resident host.” – Shirley, Stephanie & Sheila
On Monday, August 12th, at 6:30 PM we were joined by representatives from the Bird Safe Hampton Roads, a partnership led by the Cape Henry Audubon Society with multiple organizations and concerned community members working to make Hampton Roads safer for birds that live in our area or pass through during the annual spring and fall migrations, as well as representatives from Elizabeth River Project which was followed by a brief Q&A session.
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