PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The City of Portsmouth is putting a spotlight on crime.
At 7 p.m. Monday, the city is hosting a Public Work session to break down the violence that’s plaguing the city.
“I think people are concerned,” said Mayor Shannon Glover ahead of Monday night’s meeting.
“I think like with any city city, everyone should be concerned with safety,” he said.
Portsmouth is tackling homicides and drug busts.
On Saturday night, a 20-year-old man was shot on Frederick Blvd. He later died at the hospital. Police have named a person of interest, 21-year-old Darien Lee Jones.
A week pior, police arrested 5 people who were caught with drugs. Police seized seven ounces of cocaine mixed with fentanyl, an ounce of fentanyl, and two pounds of marijuana.
Earlier in March, police detained 41 people, and seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana.
This was after someone started a “pop up” flea market on High Street. Officers also seized 13 guns, and THC-infused products in the incident.
There was also a recent police chase involving a stolen car that ended in a crash in Portsmouth. The chase started in Suffolk.
Within the past two weeks, two minors were shot.
Glover tells 10 On Your Side that he expects interim city manager Mimi Terry to provide an update on new technology and techniques the city might use to fight crime.
“The information will come out. We’ll get updated and everyone will have a better understanding of what we do,” Glover said.
On March 22, Portsmouth Police are hosting the Bid-A-Wee and Newport Community Walk. The walk, is an effort for police to engage with the community, and hear community concerns. Officers will meet at the clubhouse on Harmony Community Walk. The event starts at 4 p.m.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
