THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510140095
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 213 lines
In response to Marilil S. Rogers' letter of Sept. 27, I am the first to admit that such traits of being courteous and compassionate are not taught on the job by any employer. Recognizable characteristics of one's personality or identity such as being understanding, constructive, expedient, diligent, cooperative, enthusiastic, tactful and efficient are not taught, either.
I am sure that when the Rogers' daughter is on vacation or absent from the Clerk of Court office for some personal reason, Mary Wilson, who fills in very capably, demonstrates the same qualities. However, it is comforting to know that there is someone in charge at the clerk's office who insists and stresses that these attributes are practiced.
The specialty of probating a will is not homespun by someone's parents; it is taught. I know, for I did it for 35 years with a lot of guidance.
Lillian K. Brenan
Former Chief Deputy
Portsmouth Circuit Court
Oct. 9, 1995 Indifference to crime?
I witnessed a suspicious person in my neighborhood about 11:30 a.m. Sept. 27. After returning home, I saw a person who I recognized as not being a neighbor or familiar to the neighborhood. This person was meandering without any apparent purpose on the street where I reside. I returned, after going a few blocks from home to see if he was still walking away from my neighborhood. Initially, I didn't see him, but then I saw him leaving from in front of my neighbor's garage. He was riding a red bike and guiding or towing another bike with his right hand.
I called 911 on my cell phone and reported that I was witnessing a suspicious act, possibly a burglary in progress. I gave details of the suspect's attire, gender and race to the operator as well as his location and updates on his location as he proceeded. I followed the suspect until he got to Jeffry Wilson Homes and he entered the project. At this time, the operator broke contact with me.
I saw a deputy sheriff's car and stopped him to ask if he was responding to the call that I had initiated. He acknowledged that he was and at this time I saw two other marked police cars and one unmarked car enter the project. I told the deputy what had happened. He didn't ask any questions of me, not my name or any sort of ID. I gave him my business card and told him to contact me if there would be any questions that I could answer.
My concern is, I was in contact with 911 for approximately 10 minutes with the perpetrator of a burglary in view and the response by the police was so slow that the suspect got away, as far as I know. I witnessed a crime and no one from your department seemed to be interested enough to get the details of the crime from me. I realize that there is probably a record of my conversation with 911 but the apparent indifference to this crime by the police department is very disturbing to me.
As a Portsmouth resident and citizen being very much aware of the high crime incidence in our city, it is very disappointing when I take the time and concern to report a crime in progress and get such a poor response from the appropriate authorities. I believe the technology and system are in place for a better response. It makes me believe there is a lack of training or interest on behalf of the 911 services and the police department. I have always respected and admired people who would engage in police activities and virtually put their life on the line in many instances to perform their job. However, though it is their job to do so when they accept a position as police officer.
Frankly, I feel as though I should apply for a weapons permit for self-protection and if I am unfortunately confronted with similar circumstances in the future, then proceed to make an arrest or apply appropriate action, letting the criminal element know that they are not going to invade where I live and be permitted to conduct their criminal activities in my neighborhood.
Why do we need a police department? I know and understand its purpose and welcome it, but there is a two-way commitment between the citizens and its police. A person who takes on the obligation of police work should be well aware of its risks and be committed to serve at all risk. When a department and its personnel display the appropriate attitude, then they deserve to receive all the respect and support of the citizens they protect. Who doesn't want this type of service and protection?
I am very disappointed, somewhat angry, and very skeptical of the quality of police service our city offers its residents. In my opinion the person who stole the two bicycles from my neighbors' garages, recently, should have been easily apprehended.
Herbert R. Snelling
Wyoming Avenue
Oct. 4, 1995 Praise for police
This is an open letter to anyone who would ever doubt the sincerity or dedication of the Portsmouth Police Department or the men and women who work there.
One unit that I would like to focus on is the Crime Prevention Unit, which is located in the Fairwood Homes section. As president of the Crime Prevention Steering Committee, I have the opportunity to observe much of the work that is done there. I spend approximately three or four days a week at the unit with a total of three to four hours each day.
The police officers who are in charge of this unit, who handle the day-to-day operation, show a unique ability and a willingness to work with every citizen that they come in contact with. Their goal is to foster a good relationship between the community and the police department. The other officers who handle the neighborhood watches, the business watches, Safety Town and numerous other programs include Leon B. Whitehurst, Willie Mills and Gary Reid. These individuals are three of the most dedicated officers on the force. It is a pleasure to work on a daily basis with them.
Recently, the 24th annual conference of The International Association of Police Community Relations Officers was held in Portsmouth. Leon Whitehurst was elected president of this international organization. An outstanding accomplishment by itself and a plus for the department, too. Whitehurst worked long and hard to bring this conference to the successful event that it turned out to be. All the police officers in the crime prevention unit are hard workers and are dedicated to their jobs and to the citizens of the city.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the secretary of the unit, Donna Jordan, who on many occasions goes above and beyond the call of duty to help the citizens who come into the unit.
With dedicated officers such as these and all the others who work for the police department, the citizens of our city should be proud to call Portsmouth home.
Anne Green
Douglas Avenue
Oct. 7, 1995 Melvin endorsement
I support the re-election of Kenneth R. Melvin as delegate in the 80th District House election. Ken Melvin has been an effective legislator in Richmond and in Portsmouth.
After being in the legislature for 10 years, Ken has put in the time necessary to learn what it takes in Richmond to work with citizens, the other legislators and lobbyists to make laws that work for all of us. Ken was the only legislator from Hampton Roads to receive a 100 percent rating on environmental issues from the Sierra Club. He is now in a position of leadership, which will allow him to promote our city and his district in matters coming before the assembly.
Ken is not only working hard for us in Richmond, but is in our community being an out-front leader and a participant in community activities and events.
A vote for Kenneth R. Melvin is a vote for effective and consistent leadership for the city of Portsmouth.
Rudolph James
Taft Drive
Oct. 10, 1995 Carousel favored
Whether or not one favors the carousel or the lens, I would like to question something I have been reading in the paper lately that bothers me: the City Council apparently does not want the public's opinion on this issue, either in the form of speeches at council meetings or writing letters to the editor. They imply that this will not help them solve the problem of what goes into the atrium.
I, personally, favor the carousel because in addition to the wonderful hands-on educational experiences the kids are getting, this will add so much more fun, they will want to keep coming back.
Harry D. Cox
Oakley Hall Road
Oct. 6, 1995 Campaign compliment
I know the elections are only a month away and I would like to compliment two of the candidates on the types of campaigns that have been run. In 1994, the Ollie North and Chuck Robb race featured more mud slinging than a wet elementary school sandbox. It has been much different this year.
I have been extremely impressed by the Frank E. ``Dutch'' Andrews Jr. and Sen. Fred Quayle campaign. It benefits the voters when the candidates stick with the issues. It benefits Portsmouth when candidates discuss ways to improve our city. I appreciate what ``Dutch'' Andrews and Senator Quayle have done. I believe they will be elected for all their hard work in November.
Brooke Andreson
Johnstown Road
Oct. 9, 1995 Give the police credit
It seems like that in these days the ``in thing'' to do is to come down hard on our Police Department. No one ever gives the police any credit for the hard and dangerous work that they do. Recently, I spent a day talking and listening to a dozen or so of our finest men in uniform talk about their daily routine. These men and women put their lives on the line every minute of every hour of every day and all they get is a lot of bad publicity. They do it for almost, or a little more than, what some people get on welfare. Instead of some of us complaining about them, take a day and walk in their shoes. A lot of us would think about them a lot better than we do. Give them the credit they deserve.
I hope that more people in the higher brackets would back them up more than they do. They are a great bunch of guys and girls and we in Portsmouth should be proud to have such a department that takes pride in its job.
I have been a businessman in this town for 36 years and I have never called on them for assistance when they did not respond very promptly.
Let's think about them as family, not as strangers, and they they are here to help us in time of need; also, to protect us.
Let's give them the credit they deserve.
James Cerza
Foresthaven Lane
Oct. 6, 1995 Dogs let loose unsafe
Today a cat was killed by a dog. This cat was not mine, but it always made me and my brother feel happy to see it sleeping under the tree on our way to school and back home again. It was not a fancy cat; just a plain gray cat. It was killed by a pit bull that was running loose.
Many people say it is a good dog. Many people say it is a mean dog that can't be controlled. I don't know. But it could have been me, or my brother, or any of the other boys and girls who live around here instead of a cat.
I see a lot of dogs running loose and feel sad because their owners don't care about them or the other people who live here.
I think that when people buy tags for their dogs, they must take a class to teach the dogs or pay extra for the tags.
I think that dogs that are loose should be taken from their owners until the people learn to train their dogs. That is a way the people can have their dogs and the rest of us and our pets can be safer.
Michael Markham
Alden Avenue
Oct. 7, 1995 by CNB