THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130726
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Did you know that if your child runs away from home the police can do nothing to help? They will file ``a missing person'' report and enter the child's name into their computer. Virginia Beach does not have a ``runaway child'' category. In fact, if a youth is found down at the beach, an organization will put him up for the night - no questions asked, no phone call to worried parents. Just get them off the streets, out of sight, away from the tourists.
Did you know that police don't even look for your child? They ask for a photograph, but they don't look. A few weeks ago, our dog got loose. A concerned neighbor called and Animal Control picked him up. We had to pay $10 to retrieve him. We also had to get him licensed, provide proof of rabies vaccination, and appear in court before a judge.
After our child had been missing for more than a week, we contacted a ``Safe Place.'' They called all of our child's friends and tracked down the place where our teen was staying. We located our child in a house where there were two parents who allowed a stranger to sleep at their house without ever attempting to identify or call the teen's parents. They were oblivious.
And even though we had information from a reliable eyewitness that our teen was in this particular house, the police could not go inside to look. The people had to volunteer the information, which they did only after my husband talked to them.
Three weeks passed before the police called to inquire if our teen was still missing. They just wanted to know whether to delete the name from their current ``missing persons'' list. It appears that Virginia Beach is more concerned about dogs being loose than its children. We didn't even have to appear in court. Neither did the parents who kept our child without asking questions.
Safe Place (431-2627) operates freely in Norfolk in conjunction with the schools and police. In Virginia Beach, they were told runaways are not a problem. I guess not, especially if the word is not in your vocabulary.
Elizabeth Sinnott
Glen Eden Quay Getting towed no thrill for Neptune Festival-goer
The Neptune Festival was great for the residents of Virginia Beach. Finally, a good time to be together with our good citizens.
But one thing was a disgrace. Local cars were ticketed and towed away because they didn't have permit stickers. As for the $1 parking, if you attend the festival three or four times, it adds up - more money for the city. What happens when the municipal parking lots are full?
I've been a resident of Virginia Beach for 27 years and I can't believe the rules for parking. One has to constantly keep his mind on the clock and be out of the space at 8 p.m. If not, more money for the city from local residents.
Oh yes, the festival is for the residents of Virginia Beach. But, remember, you must move your car by 8 p.m. before you're towed away. By the way, the rates for towing in our beloved city are around $70. Come on, City Council, help us out!
Valerie Davis
Virginia Beach Time to limit term of Democrat Sen. Holland
People in 23 states have voiced their desire for term limits for public office. The Supreme Court, in a much-publicized decision, stated it was unconstitutional - which makes one wonder where the justices found this in the Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution clearly states qualifications for office, and term limits are certainly not mentioned.
However, the power of government resides in the people, a fact too often forgotten by politicians with long tenure. The people can impose term limits in the voting booth and the time has come to send those who have been in office too long back to their full-time professions.
In the case of Sen. Clancy Holland, D-Va. Beach, it would be sufficient to remember that he never met a toll road he didn't like. Ed Schrock is a new face with different ideas, so come on, people; let's vote for a change.
C. W. Carr
Bunker Hill Lane by CNB