THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509010197
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
The ``Code Blue'' advertisement in the Beacon on Sunday, Aug. 27, leaves readers with the impression that no backup was available for a Virginia Beach Police Department lieutenant when he requested assistance. Our citizens deserve to know the facts concerning that incident.
The incident occurred on Aug. 4, 1995. At approximately 7:26 p.m., the lieutenant requested assistance ``Code 3.'' This means that assisting officers will obey all speed laws and respond without lights and sirens; in other words, no priority response. An assist unit was immediately dispatched to proceed to the scene.
At approximately 7:28 p.m. the lieutenant requested the assist be changed to ``Code 2,'' or a priority response. The assist unit previously dispatched was now placed on ``Code 2'' response.
From the time the priority Code 2 was requested until the back-up unit arrived on the scene, a total of 2 minutes and 19 seconds elasped. Following the Code 2 request, four other units were responding to assist!
Virginia Beach citizens can be assured that their police department responds immediately to any and all priority calls for assistance.
Charles R. Wall, Chief of Police
Virginia Beach by CNB