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Newport News violence discussion yields ideas, attendees await actions

Daily Press - 7/18/2018

July 18--Ideas to reduce violence in Newport News flew around a conference room of the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center Tuesday night, where the city gathered about 100 people to discuss the issue.

Along with refrains of engaging youth, teaching responsibility and providing opportunities, people were adamant that some action had to be taken.

"I've heard this kind of conversation before," said Larry Gibson after telling the story of how his son and nephew were murdered. "I'm tired of hearing the same old jargon from some of the same old people."

"If you're really, really, really willing to be real, to get down to the village and put your hands on these people, to hug 'em up and love 'em up you ain't doing nothing but talking."

Tuesday's discussions were part of an ongoing development process for a three- to five-year strategic plan to reduce violence, inspire hope and create a better life for residents.

Attendees, which included police officers and other city employees and officials, broke up into groups to discuss the role of the community and government agencies in addressing violence.

"The community knows more and sees more than we do," said MuRhonda Echols, head of Building Better Futures, the city's youth and gang violence prevention initiative.

The role of the community in addressing violence is to step up in taking back the community, hence the city's efforts to involve people in the planning process. Bringing people into the process will also serve to hold the city accountable with following through with ideas developed by the people.

Once discussions were opened up, conversations at each table erupted with ideas.

One table of six women suggested taking existing initiatives, such as a neighborhood watch, and making them more welcoming to young people.

The group agreed that people needed to get over assumptions about the way a person chooses to dress or where they hang out and be open to approaching them and inviting them to be part of the neighborhood.

Part of helping young people avoid trouble had to start at the home and reaching out to young parents, people said. Althea Royal said it was important that kids learn about consequences and responsibility while growing up.

A reoccurring theme across groups at the event was meeting young people where they are and adjusting to their concerns and desires. Beyond that, some felt there could be more work programs to set people up with jobs when they finish school.

Veronica Harrelson walked away feeling positive about the energy behind the discussions and ideas she heard. Althea Royal added that they were also waiting to see action that would lead to change. Like Gibson, she recalled violence reduction discussions going back decades.

Newport News has made multiple public efforts to address crime in the city this month.

Police Chief Steve Drew led community walks in areas that experience violent crime, walking with police officers and city employees and elected officials through the neighborhoods to talk with residents.

Police officers and other city employees, led by Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew, went door to door in Cottage Grove Apartments on Friday.

Two people were shot in June in the complex, including one who died the day before.

This was the second walk that Drew has led, trying to improve the relationship...

On Friday, they went door to door in the Southeast Community'sCottage Grove Apartments, where two people were shot in June. One of the men died the day before the walk.

On July 3, police had a similar walk near the department's central precinct station after three homicides nearby in the span of a week.

Tuesday's discussions were the first of two sessions the city is planning to develop its plan to reduce crime. The second session will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Aug. 21 at Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick Blvd.

Reyes can be reached by phone at 757-247-4692. Follow him on Twitter at @jdauzreyes.

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(c)2018 the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)

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