The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, October 5, 1994             TAG: 9410050007
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   28 lines

CRIME AND POLICE CARS

Your recent report about the increase in homicides in Virginia Beach should make us all rethink our attitudes about crime in Hampton Roads.

Many Beach citizens thought violent crime was a problem mainly for other'' cities - Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake. We know now that is not true. If the leaders of Virginia Beach are wise, they will take a cue from the other cities. Portsmouth and Chesapeake have provided take-home cars to their police officers as one step in fighting crime. While there was a lot of rhetoric about doing the same in Virginia Beach during the spring City Council campaigns, there has been nothing but silence since then.

What will it take to get our city officials to wake up and act? Inaction will not make things better. Dodging or postponing the issue will not reduce crime. Acting on their promises will. City leaders should act now on behalf of us all.

ROBERT D. PAPPAS

Virginia Beach, Sept. 19, 1994 by CNB