Virginia Beach - According to the social media account CBW2k16, a promoter for College Beach Week 2016, thousands of college students will be heading to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront the weekend of April 22nd through April 24th.
In previous years, College Beach Week has been violent. Last year, Stratton Mitchell was killed on Atlantic Avenue the very first night of College Beach Week. Three years ago, there were three reported stabbing and three reported shootings as well as numerous fights. Which is why many locals are preparing to get out of town before college students make their way to the beach.
"I will avoid the area I will stay away," explained Candy Altizer, who has lived in Virginia beach for nearly 40 years.
Business owners tell Newschannel 3 they are also nervous about the upcoming College Beach Week. Many say they plan to hire extra security and limit their hours in order to protect their stores and employees.
Last year, Virginia Beach Police held a community meeting to address concerns business owners and residents had about College Beach Week. They also discussed their plan to patrol the Oceanfront with additional police. This year no such meeting has been planned or announced.
Newschannel 3 reached out to police asking about their patrol plan for College Beach Week 2016, but we have not yet heard back from them.
