Good Afternoon!
I hope this email finds you healthy and vaccinated! The COVID-19 Delta variant is taking hold and increasing our positivity rates in Norfolk and throughout our country. Personally, I am masking in public indoor spaces and being mindful of social distancing. Please do your part and get vaccinated, if you haven’t already, and encourage others to do the same. There are many locations where you can receive the vaccine and know you can walk in and get vaccinated at Military Circle Mall on Tuesdays: 2pm-6pm and Thursdays: 10:00am-2:00pm through August.
Norfolk is on the leading edge of police transparency. As a result of a greater focus on policing we took it upon ourselves to be more transparent with police data. At our City Council meeting on July 13, 2021 Norfolk Police Chief Larry Boone and Peter Buryk, City Administration, presented the new Norfolk Police Department Data Dashboard on the city website. This data shows five years of history relating to the following:
• Type of Use of Force
• Citizen Complaints, Allegations and Findings
• Trends
• Officer/citizen Demographics
• Use of Force by Zip Code
• Arrest Demographics
• Citizen Fatalities
I encourage you to take a look if interested via www.norfolk.gov. I believe we are the first in Virginia to publish this data publicly. I want to thank NPD Chief Boone and the team for setting a strong example of how we strive to improve community relations and strengthen trust with our community through this data transparency.
The Hampton Blvd. Traffic Task Force met in July to again review traffic data between 2019-2021 in order to identify trends and needs. We continue to implement the 20+ measures that we put in place since 2019 when we first convened. We are looking to place additional traffic signals (if budget allows) at certain points along Hampton Blvd. to slow traffic. We continue the Zero Tolerance for speeding. And, we would like to implement a speed camera around the Larchmont Elementary School area once we secure a vendor. The 2021 Virginia General Assembly passed legislation allowing for speed cameras in school zones and work zones. Fast Fact: Between January and July 21, 2021, the red light camera at Hampton Blvd and Princess Anne Road identified 5,109 drivers running the red light.
Finally, I want to thank the Virginia Port Authority for partnering with Norfolk. With a new texting alert system drivers receive a text notifying them of a train crossing at Hampton Blvd and Terminal Blvd 20 minutes before a train arrives so you can avoid delays. To subscribe, text NFKTrain to 888-777 to receive these texts. We are working on getting similar messaging in place when trains cross through the Wards Corner area.
My best to you for a safe August.
Cheers!
Courtney
Greater Park Place Task Force
Learn when trains are crossing Hampton Blvd. at Terminal Blvd
