THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 14, 1996 TAG: 9610140042
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: DECISION 96
AT ISSUE: CRIME
As Virginians look forward to the Nov. 5 election, they're thinking a
lot about issues that are important in their lives. This week we
examine the qualities citizens want in their leaders, and how a few
Hampton Roads residents view those qualities.
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 155 lines
After 42 years in the ladies' apparel business, Eugene A. Denison figures he's pretty lucky.
He's had only a few problems with crime - some cases of shoplifting and petty vandalism. No one has seriously threatened his safety.
``Every incident that I've had has been satisfactorily resolved by the police,'' Denison said, sitting near the display window of his Main Street shop, lined with mannequins sporting glamorous dresses and tailored suits.
That's led to his conclusion that downtown Suffolk is a pretty safe place, despite media accounts that, he said, scare people into thinking the little commercial hub is rife with crime.
The perception that crime is everywhere, he said, is sometimes more of a problem than the reality.
``You read about armed robberies, and there have been a few armed robberies downtown,'' Denison said. ``But over that many years, a few robberies is not a crime wave.
``I know the ladies in the beauty parlor talk about an incident that happened where a lady was knocked down and her purse was stolen. That happened about 10 years ago, but they still talk about it like it was yesterday.''
Denison believes downtown Suffolk is safer than most major shopping malls.
Outside Suffolk, though, it's a different story. Media accounts paint a grim picture of murder, robbery, rape and mayhem - a picture Denison has seen over and over again on television and in the newspapers.
``The perception is that it is increasing, it is drug-related and that much of it is in the inner cities,'' he said.
There's been a breakdown in our society, he said. People don't feel responsible for their actions anymore. Pervasive drug use is a symptom of that, he said.
The answer, he said, is more police officers on the streets, an elimination of automatic weapons and stronger sentences by all courts.
Meanwhile, Denison will continue taking his own measures to make sure his little corner of the nation stays trouble-free. His store has an alarm system, and he never leaves the main section unattended during shopping hours. On busy days, he makes more frequent deposits at the bank, and he gives his employees casual lectures on how to deal with shoplifters, should they see them in the act.
``I guess it's always in the back of everybody's mind to be aware and prepared,'' he said. DENISON'S QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES What would your approach to drug control be? What should be done about drug users, who create the demand for drugs? SENATE John W. Warner ``Through our homes, in our schools and in our communities, we must instill in our children a greater sense of personal responsibility and respect for themselves and others. When these efforts are not sufficient, then we must use our criminal justice system effectively to protect innocent citizens from being victimized. One law that I am proud of enables police agencies to benefit from the assets taken in drug-trafficking cases. I also co-sponsored legislation strengthening penalties for gun and drug crimes - providing flexibility to states in using federal grants to fight drug crimes and to improve criminal justice procedures. I also sponsored legislation to provide stiff sentencing penalties - including possible death sentence - for persons who commit a drive-by shooting in the commission of a drug offense.'' Mark Warner ``I support tough penalties for the possession and sale of all illegal drugs and improved measures to stem the flow of drugs into this country. I also believe that we need to do a better job of preventing our kids from experimenting with drugs in the first place. That's why I support the Safe and Drug Free Schools Act and programs like DARE, which teaches kids about the dangers of drugs.'' HOUSE 2nd District Owen B. Pickett ``Interdiction, education and treatment are the principal components of an effective drug control program. Drug traffickers should be treated as terrorists and enemies in war and dealt with accordingly. Illegal drug users who decline treatment and refuse rehabilitation efforts should be sentenced to jail, with the term of the sentence increasing with each offense.'' John F. Tate ``Tougher enforcement all up and down the line, from the kingpin to the pusher to the habitual user.'' 3rd District Robert C. Scott ``There are a number of very successful initiatives that reduce the demand for drugs. The first should be that they remain illegal, but more effort has to be made to reduce the demand. One program that we funded is the drug court program that treats non-violent first offenders with simple possession charges. It treats drug users similar to the way drunk drivers are treated in traffic court. That is, they are given the option of drug rehabilitation as a condition for a suspended jail sentence. Elsie Goodwyn Holland ``Lock them up if it can be proven they are using drugs. They would have to be incarcerated. Take them off the street. If they have't killed anybody and we need the prison space for violent criminals, put drug users into detox centers. The money will have to come out of your pocket, though. Mainly, we have to get the people who supply the drugs, the one shipping it into our country. Drug trafficking has to be more tightly controlled.'' 4th District Norman Sisisky ``You have to attack supply and demand at the same time. You can cut down the supply of drugs by beefing up interdiction efforts and going after drug traffickers. But reducing demand requires a different strategy. I think parents have to take up the challenge and drive home the message that drugs are wrong. Government can't do everything, but it can help. For example, I've supported programs like the DARE program, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, where police officers go into the schools and teach students about the dangers of drugs, and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program, which supports local anti-drug initiatives.'' Anthony J. Zevgolis ``I believe the drug abusers should be held accountable for their actions, because of the old law of supply and demand. If they were not buying it and using it, then you wouldn't have the people out there selling it. I think they do have an obligation to society. While I don't think we need to lock them up, we could confine them to halfway houses or community service. We don't want to fill up our prisons with a lot of first offenders. But the proper steps need to be taken - warnings, or requiring them to report to counselors. And we need drug education and rehabilitation. MEMO: NEXT WEEK: SETTING PRIORITIES
The budget defecit is a large concern to many, but while Virginians want
a balanced budget, they are concerned that taxes are too high, and that
more money needs to go to the military and education. Neither citizens
or politicians, it seems, are willing to set priorities for the
direction of our country. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo appeared on page B1.]
MICHAEL KESTNER
The Virginian-Pilot
For 42 years, it seems, luck has been with Eugene A. Denison. His
ladies' apparel store on Suffolk's Main Street has had few problems
with crime. That's a sign, he says, that his street - and the
commercial hub surrounding it - are pretty safe.
MICHAEL KESTNER
The Virginian-Pilot
Eugene A. Denison of Suffolk has had few problems with crime. But to
many people, he said, crime is a threat that is all too real.
[Photos of candidates]
KEYWORDS: ISSUES U.S. SENATE RACE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES RACE CANDIDATES CRIME by CNB