THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 4, 1995 TAG: 9508040450
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Gov. George F. Allen told the delegates of the national Fraternal Order of Police convention Thursday that Virginia's tough-on-crime posture has made the state safer.
Amid enthusiastic applause from more than 4,000 law-enforcement officers at the Pavilion, Allen hammered on his themes of abolishing parole, reforming criminal sentencing and requiring both prisoners and able-bodied welfare recipients to work.
He chided ``criminal apologists'' - those who blame society for a criminal's behavior.
``This misguided philosophy regards the criminals as the victims and not as the victimizers,'' said Allen, whose was supported by the FOP as a gubernatorial candidate. ``Today, we are living in the societal wreckage of this kind of thinking.''
The governor did not, however, mention to the delegates his support of Virginia's relaxed concealed-weapons permit system, which led nearly 2,700 Hampton Roads citizens last month to apply to carry a hidden handgun. The state FOP lodge opposed the loosening of concealed-carry laws.
In an impromptu news conference immediately after his speech, Allen announced he will distribute nearly $3 million in grants to Virginia localities for drug-enforcement, including more than $300,000 earmarked for South Hampton Roads police departments.
Chesapeake will receive the second-largest of the 44 grants - $142,282. Portsmouth will get $102,973 and Suffolk will get $57,818.
The money for the grants will come from an additional $2 fine added to each traffic or criminal offense, Allen said.
``I think it's a great idea that the criminals are helping to get more law-enforcement officers on the street,'' he said.
Bristol is tagged for the largest grant - $165,026 - to establish a regional drug and organized-crime unit, according to a news release.
Allen addressed the FOP on the final business day of the organization's weeklong conference. The organization of about 270,000 members is the largest law-enforcement group in the country. The 52nd national convention is expected to add as much as $5 million to the city's economy.
Allen hobbled onto the Pavilion stage with his right knee bound by an immobilizing brace. The governor injured his knee July 27 in a pick-up football game at the governor's mansion. He said he will learn next week if he needs surgery.
He concluded his remarks to the FOP by thanking the members for their work in their communities.
``We appreciate the sacrifices and hard work by you all, the members of the FOP, and also the families of law officers,'' Allen said. ``We are extremely thankful to you for your commitment to make our future safer.''
Today, FOP executives will wrap up conference business. ILLUSTRATION: ``We appreciate the sacrifices . . . by you all''
BETH BERGMAN/
Staff
Gov. George F. Allen, his knee immobilized after a football injury,
speaks at the Fraternal Order of Police convention in Virginia
Beach.
by CNB