PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover delivered his State of the City address at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel Wednesday.
Glover delivered an upbeat and optimistic address, but curbing crime remains in the forefront for change in the city.
The mayor highlighted ways they’re fighting gun violence and touched on other initiatives he says will make the city stronger and safer.
Glover said city leaders are applying for more crime-fighting grants, adding that money alone won’t fix the issues.
“We must reverse trend on violent crime,” Glover said. “There is no quick fix; it will take steadfast, unrelenting tenacity. We will implement proven strategies.”
Strategies currently in place include Project Safe Neighborhoods to help put criminals behind bars and calling on community leaders, faith-based and grassroots organizations to step up.
“Reducing violent crime is a shared responsibility,” said Glover. “It’s all about engagement.”
So far, Police Chief Renado Prince said their tactics are working.
“I think what we’re doing is point-on,” he said. “We’re showing results already, and that’s based on the statistics. I’m optimistic about the future of Portsmouth.”
Prince said the number of 911 calls for shots fired are down compared to this same time last year. This month, there’ve been 25 calls versus 41 last April.
A pay hike for new policemen and women is helping to bridge the gap in the department that a few weeks ago was down 80 officers.
Mayor Glover also expressed hope during his State of the City address.
“Our goal is to bring hope and opportunities to our communities,” said Glover.
The mayor looked back on the city’s accomplishments while highlighting the progress of the offshore wind projectand Rivers Casino that’s expected to create an economic boom and jobs.
“Dirt is flying all over the city with new development and business ventures,” said Glover.
Mayor Glover said his hope going forward is to continue building relationships within the community to reduce crime, attract more people and create more business opportunities.
News 3 streamed the address in this story. You can watch it above.
